Six children have lost their lives since the beginning of 2016 due to faulty Ikea furniture.
Ikea recalled dressers over what seems to be an endless chain of tragedies. The Sweden-based company has issued a general recall order for no less than 29 million dressers and chests, which can potentially be hazardous to children.
In June 2016, after the local authorities from the United States have linked a fourth child fatality with a piece of furniture distributed by Ikea, the company decided that the best course of action is to issue a mass recall order.
Over 20 million chests and dressers from the so-called Malm family are being shipped back to Sweden because of this new tragedy. According to the coroner’s report, the fourth victim was a 2-year old Caucasian boy living in Woodbridge, Virginia, who died as a result of the dresser toppling over and falling on him.
Unfortunately, it would seem that the long series of unfortunate events do not end here. Since the mass recall order was issued, two more infants of the same age lost their lives in furniture-related incidents.
In an open statement, the Sweden-based company expressed its condolences towards the grieving families and took the opportunity to discuss the importance of securing furniture.
Furthermore, in the same statement, the company declared that the client should always secure the dresser, by using the wall mount included in the package. In addition, if the client in unwilling to secure his furniture, he or she should at least keep it out of children’s reach.
In their written statement, Ikea also declared that these tragedies could have been averted if the owners would have secured the dresser’s drawers to the wall. After Ikea recalled dressers, the company said that clients could return them at their leisure if they are not satisfied with the product.
Ironically enough, it would seem that this is not the first time Ikea recalls its products for this reason. This Thursday, Ikea issues another recall order for 80,000 baby gates, after ten children were injured as results of the gates coming unlocked.
Also, in early February, the furniture retailer was also forced to recall several thousand HYBY and LOCK ceiling lamps, after 11 people were hospitalized as a result of the retaining clips breaking and glass shattering.
Ikea recalled dressed since June 2016, but it would seem that more and more Ikea-related accidents are discovered each day.
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