Furniture safety - Wall anchoring
Why bedroom furniture should be anchored to the wall, what Australia's mandatory safety standard requires, and how to secure your own furniture.
Ensuring the safety of your home environment is paramount, especially when it comes to preventing furniture tip-overs. Tallboys, dressers, and other furniture, while essential for bedroom functionality, can pose significant risks if not properly secured. Anchoring these pieces to the wall is a crucial step in safeguarding against potential accidents.
Why anchoring bedroom furniture matters
Unsecured furniture can tip over, leading to serious injuries or fatalities, particularly among young children. Children may climb on furniture out of curiosity, causing it to become unstable and fall. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), since 2000, at least 28 people, including 17 children under five, have died in Australia due to toppling furniture incidents.
Mandatory safety standards in Australia
As of 4 May 2025, a mandatory information standard requires furniture suppliers to provide safety warnings about the dangers of toppling furniture. This standard applies to various furniture categories, including:
Category 1
A clothing storage unit or bookcase with a height of 686 mm or more. A clothing storage unit is an item of furniture intended to primarily store clothes. It has one or more doors or drawers.
Category 2
Entertainment units of any height. Entertainment units are designed to be used primarily to house, support or carry a television.
Category 3
Hall tables, display cabinets, buffets, and sideboards with a height 686 mm or greater.
Suppliers must affix permanent warning labels to applicable furniture, provide warnings at the point of sale, and include safety information in instruction manuals.
Steps to secure your furniture
Use Anchoring Devices
Follow Manufacturer Instructions
Regularly Check Stability
Educate Household Members
For renters, it's advisable to seek permission from landlords before installing anchoring devices. Explain the safety reasons and offer to repair any damage upon moving out.
Additional safety tips
Avoid Placing Heavy Items on Top
Keep Tempting Items Out of Reach
Use Drawer Locks
Position Furniture Wisely
By taking these precautions, you can create a safer home environment and significantly reduce the risk of furniture tip-over accidents. For more detailed information and resources,visit the ACCC's Product Safety website
The mandatory warning label applied to Category 1 furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Unsecured furniture can tip over and cause serious injuries or fatalities, particularly among young children who may climb on it. According to the ACCC, since 2000 at least 28 people, including 17 children under five, have died in Australia due to toppling furniture incidents. Anchoring tallboys, dressers and similar furniture, and following the manufacturer's instructions, helps reduce the risk.
Since 4 May 2025, a mandatory information standard requires furniture suppliers to provide safety warnings about the dangers of toppling furniture. Suppliers must affix permanent warning labels to applicable furniture, provide warnings at the point of sale, and include safety information in instruction manuals.
It covers clothing storage units and bookcases 686mm or taller, entertainment units of any height, and hall tables, display cabinets, buffets and sideboards 686mm or taller. A tallboy or dresser that is 686mm or taller and is intended mainly to store clothes in drawers or behind doors is a clothing storage unit under the standard. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for anchoring.
It's advisable to ask your landlord for permission before installing anchoring devices. Explain the safety reasons and offer to repair any damage when you move out. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, check the furniture's stability regularly, and avoid placing heavy items on top.
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