Toppling Furniture Safety
Keeping your home safe is essential - especially when it comes to preventing furniture from tipping over. Tallboys, dressers, and other everyday pieces play a big role in your everyday spaces, but they can become hazardous if not properly secured. Anchoring them to the wall is a simple but important way to help avoid accidents and protect those around you.
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.
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