AHFA Consumer Web Site Educates on Tip-Over Hazards
May 21, 2009
ASTM International has released a revised furniture tip-over standard requiring manufacturers to include a "tip restraint" with each chest, door chest and dresser taller than 30 inches, and the American Home Furnishings Alliance's (AHFA) consumer Web site looks to inform parents on the devices' proper use.
"Tip restraints attach the piece of furniture to an interior wall, framing or other support to help prevent the piece from tipping over," said American Home Furnishings Alliance Vice President Bill Perdue, who served as co-chair of the furniture safety subcommittee that worked on the revised standard. "Furnishings that comply with the new standard also will carry a new warning label that cautions parents not to open more than one drawer at a time, not to place televisions or other heavy objects on the top of the product, and not to allow children to climb on drawers."
Perdue said AHFA will make use of its consumer Web site to help inform parents about the correct use of tip restraints. The site already receives thousands of visitors each day and is a frequently-publicized destination for information on furniture styles and trends, as well as buying tips and furniture care and safety.
"If consumers leave these restraints in the box and ignore them, the industry's efforts to provide this safety device are for naught," says Perdue. "In addition, if not installed correctly, tip restraints can and will fail."
AHFA plans a safety video to be posted on the Web site that will demonstrate how tip restraints work. It will urge consumers to consult the manufacturer for specific installation instructions, since these instructions may vary depending on the piece.
The video also will reinforce the warnings that are listed on the permanent safety label required under the revised standard. The label also advises parents that "use of tip-over restraints may reduce but not eliminate the risk of tip-over."
Although standards issued by ASTM are voluntary, it is the largest standards development organization in the United States and its rulings play a critical role in reducing injuries and fatalities based on identified hazards in the use and performance of many consumer and household products.
The revised tip-over standard was issued just as a new study was released by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which reported the number of injuries related to furniture tipping over increased more than 40 percent from 1990 to 2007.
"Tip restraints attach the piece of furniture to an interior wall, framing or other support to help prevent the piece from tipping over," said American Home Furnishings Alliance Vice President Bill Perdue, who served as co-chair of the furniture safety subcommittee that worked on the revised standard. "Furnishings that comply with the new standard also will carry a new warning label that cautions parents not to open more than one drawer at a time, not to place televisions or other heavy objects on the top of the product, and not to allow children to climb on drawers."
Perdue said AHFA will make use of its consumer Web site to help inform parents about the correct use of tip restraints. The site already receives thousands of visitors each day and is a frequently-publicized destination for information on furniture styles and trends, as well as buying tips and furniture care and safety.
"If consumers leave these restraints in the box and ignore them, the industry's efforts to provide this safety device are for naught," says Perdue. "In addition, if not installed correctly, tip restraints can and will fail."
AHFA plans a safety video to be posted on the Web site that will demonstrate how tip restraints work. It will urge consumers to consult the manufacturer for specific installation instructions, since these instructions may vary depending on the piece.
The video also will reinforce the warnings that are listed on the permanent safety label required under the revised standard. The label also advises parents that "use of tip-over restraints may reduce but not eliminate the risk of tip-over."
Although standards issued by ASTM are voluntary, it is the largest standards development organization in the United States and its rulings play a critical role in reducing injuries and fatalities based on identified hazards in the use and performance of many consumer and household products.
The revised tip-over standard was issued just as a new study was released by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which reported the number of injuries related to furniture tipping over increased more than 40 percent from 1990 to 2007.
