Dezeen Magazine

Ikea Malm dresser

IKEA recalls millions of killer dressers

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has recalled one of its most popular designs after toppling Malm dressers killed three toddlers in two years.

IKEA released a statement today recalling 29 million low-cost Malm and other models of chests of drawers due to a "serious tip-over hazard".

"Please immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place in an area not accessible to children," the statement said.

The company urged customers in the US and Canada who have purchased the dressers to return their products in exchange for a full or partial refund, or to request a free wall-anchoring repair kit.

"The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing a tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in death or injuries to children," said the statement.

The recall – the largest in IKEA's history – affects 29 million dressers including 8 million Malm units sold between 2002 and June 2016. It encompasses children's chests and dressers taller than 23.5 inches (60 centimetres) and adult chests and dressers taller than 29.5 inches (75 centimetres) – see the full list.

Two toddlers in the USA died during separate incidents when Malm dressers tipped and fell on them in 2014. In response, IKEA launched a repair programme and began offering wall-anchoring kits to secure the units at no cost, but did not take the products off the market.

A third fatality in February 2016 prompted the recall, initiated by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Three more children under the age of three have been killed by Ikea storage units since 1989.

In addition to the deaths, IKEA received reports of 41 tip-over incidents from the US involving chests and dressers. These resulted in 17 injuries to children aged between 19 months and 10 years.

The Malm designs, which range from $80 to $200 (£60 to £150), have now been removed from IKEA's US website.

Dezeen has contacted IKEA and is awaiting a response.

The company recently revealed its latest range of products, including the PS 2017 collection that includes "no waste" products, and furniture and homeware by Piet Hein Eek.

It also announced a collaboration with Hay, which involved a redesign of IKEA's iconic blue and yellow bag.