A bedroom chest sold by Bob’s Discount Furniture has been recalled as potentially dangerous, the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced Dec. 18.
The units “are unstable and can tip over if not anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in death or injuries to children,” CPSC said. “The chests do not comply with the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard.”
The recall presents another reminder to retailers not to sell furniture unless it meets industry standards for stability.
The subject of this recall is a Chadwick and Bailey five-drawer chest, which was manufactured in Vietnam and comes in four colors. It was imported by Hillsdale Furniture. Some 31,000 units were sold by Bob’s Discount Furniture and other retailers nationwide from August 2010 through August 2019 for about $280, CPSC said.
“Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access,” CPSC added. “Contact Bob’s Discount Furniture or Hillsdale Furniture to receive a free repair or refund. Remedy options include a free self-install repair kit, free in-home installation of repair kit or free pick-up of the chest.”
Recall was triggered by CPSC testing
No injuries associated with the chest have been reported. However, the CPSC conducted stability testing on selected clothing storage units earlier this year, resulting in several recalls of pieces that failed the tests.
The Home Furnishings Association urges members:
- Not to sell clothing storage units that do not comply with ASTM stability standards
- To encourage purchasers of any bedroom chests and drawers to anchor them securely with appropriate tip-restraint devices.
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In October, the HFA led a retail panel on furniture safety at the American Home Furniture Alliance Regulatory Summit in Colfax, N.C. HFA members Jameson Dion of City Furniture, Greg Crowley of Crowley Furniture & Mattress and Chris Fox of Raymour & Flanigan participated. One takeaway from the discussion was that retailers must confront this issue proactively.
Don’t sell products that could be recalled
The CPSC is in a rulemaking process that could lead to the adoption of a mandatory stability standard. In the meantime, retailers should regard the ASTM voluntary standard as if it were mandatory. They also should educate customers about potential hazards. No one should want to sell furniture that could kill or injure a child or that may be subject to the next recall.
Retailers, other than Bob’s Discount Furniture, who sold these units should call Hillsdale Furniture at at 800-368-0999 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or e-mail recall@hillsdalefurniture.com for more information.
