Ikea is recalling 28 million MALM dressers, after the units were linked to the deaths of six children, including a toddler from Apple Valley, Minnesota last February. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) declared the units a “tip-over hazard”, siting them as unstable if they are not anchored to the wall.
In July 2015, following the death of 2 children, Ikea announced a repair program with a free wall-anchoring kit. Tragically, two more lives were lost before the product was officially recalled. Five of the six deaths occurred between 2002-2016, all were children who were less than three years old and all involved units that were not anchored in the wall. The CPSC also reported 36 injuries.
The affected models were only sold in the United States and Canada, not in Europe. In a statement announcing the recall, Ikea says to keep the dressers away from children until they can be secured to a wall or returned. Units sold between the years 2002-2016 can be returned to Ikea for a full refund, while units older than 2002 will receive a partial refund.
As there is a large IKEA store near Mall of America store in Bloomington, Minnesota parents and care providers are especially encouraged to take notice of the recall.
According to the CPSC a child is killed by toppling TVs or furniture every 2 weeks in the United States. Chairperson of the CPSC, Elliot Kaye, challenged Ikea and others saying, “I am calling on the furniture industry to accelerate bringing safer designs to market.”
RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS
The recalled dressers are 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer, and 6-drawer models. The MALM dressers are made of fiberboard and come in several colors and finishes.
| Names | Sold Dates | Measurements |
| MALM 3 | 10/2002 to 6/2016 | 31½” x 18⅞” x 30¾” |
| MALM 4 | 6/2002 to 6/2016 | 31½” x 18⅞” x 39½” |
| MALM 5 | 10/2002 to 4/2006 | 157/8” x 19” x 481/4“ |
| MALM 6 | 6/2002 to 6/2016 | 31½” x 18⅞” x 48⅜” |
| MALM 6 LONG | 11/2002 to 6/2016 | 63” x 18⅞” x 30¾” |
| MALM 6 | 4/2006 to 6/2016 | 153/4” x 191/8” x 483/8“ |
It is important to stay updated with CPSC recalls. You can follow the agency on Twitter or Facebook, or subscribe to their email list here. It might save a child’s life.
Lawsuits for Child’s Injury
Attorney Eric Hageman leads our Child Safety Litigation Team. Eric is a parent himself and has seen firsthand the tragic effects of some of these dangerous products. Kids are especially vulnerable not only to tip-over hazards but also strangulation and suffocation from defective products. Suffocation is one of the biggest hazards prompting crib recalls. Babies can become trapped in between the mattress and the crib’s side rail if the hardware fails and the side rail becomes detached. Oftentimes, the only way to get these Goliath corporations to take notice is through a lawsuit. If you would like to speak with a lawyer about your case call 1-888-377-8900 or fill out a free consultation form.