Australian furniture suppliers are now required to provide safety warnings about the dangers of toppling furniture.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Catrioba Lowe said mandatory information standard for toppling furniture came into effect on May 4.
Ms Lowe said since 2000 at least 28 people, including 17 children under five, had died in Australia from toppling furniture and televisions.
She said each year more than 900 Australians suffered injuries requiring medical assistance from toppling furniture, with children aged up to four years at most risk and older Australians also vulnerable.
“A mandatory information standard is a critical step towards reducing the injuries and deaths involving toppling furniture.
“The impact of furniture tip-over can be tragic, with young children and the elderly most at risk. The information standard raises awareness about the risk of furniture tip-over and empowers consumers with the knowledge they need to safeguard their homes.”
Ms Lowe said the new information standard applied to chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, hall tables, display cabinets, buffets and sideboards with a height of 686mm or more, and entertainment units of any height.
“If not properly secured, tall or unstable furniture can topple over when young children attempt to climb on them or pull themselves up.
“Elderly people with reduced strength or mobility are also at greater risk because they are more likely to rely on furniture for support and are more likely to suffer severe injury if furniture tips over.”
