FAQ

Since the furniture industry is currently unregulated and the standard is voluntary, the best advice that we can give is to check on saferproducts.gov to ensure that the product that you are purchasing, whether it is new or second hand, has not been involved in a tip over incident and properly anchor any furniture that has the potential to be unstable in your home.

Anchoring kits, or furniture restraints, generally consist of two brackets that are tethered by a strap or cable. One bracket screws directly into the piece of furniture while the other bracket fastens into a stud in the wall to prevent the furniture from tipping.

Conner’s Legacy Foundation, Inc has tested several different anchoring kits and feels that the most secure anchoring kits available are ones are comprised of two brackets and a steel cable that screw directly into a stud.

You can request free anchoring kits from Conner’s Legacy Foundation. Complete this form:

    It seems like a lot of parents who are reading this today may not know about the danger of tip-overs.

    • Nearly 40 kids a day are injured by tip-over incidents, and on average, 2 to 3 kids die each month.
    • Children like to climb on furniture. For them, the home is like a playground, and dressers and other furniture are used as a means to reach something higher
    • With 91 percent of furniture tip-over fatalities occurring in the home, the campaign targets parents, grandparents, and family members in households with children or who have children visit.
    • Properly mounting or anchoring a TV, dresser, and other large furniture can prevent these tragic incidents. Preventing tip-over incidents is inexpensive, and only takes five minutes.

    It is easy for parents and caregivers to anchor their dresser or TV to a wall. Here, we’ll cover some basic tips and which rooms you should safeguard.

    • We say, “Take 5 to Save Lives”. Preventing tip-over incidents is inexpensive, and only takes five minutes.
    • The most important room to safeguard is the bedroom; 46 percent of tip-over fatalities occur in a bedroom.
    • Install low-cost anchoring devices that can prevent TVs, dressers, bookcases, and other furniture/appliances from tipping.
    • Newer dressers are sold with anti-tip devices.
    • Recycle older, unused TVs.
    • If moving the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored properly to the wall or to the furniture. The furniture should also be anchored to the wall.
    • TVs should always be placed on a sturdy, low base and pushed as far back as possible.
    • Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
    • Avoid displaying or storing items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach for them.

    • Young kids are so curious and we know they like to climb.
    • Nearly 40 kids a day are injured by tip-over incidents, and on average, 2 to 3 kids die each month.
    • About 70 percent of child tip-over fatalities involve children age 1 to 3.5. At this age, children are at a developmental stage where they like to climb and jump and are eager to exert their independence by dressing themselves or putting on their favorite TV shows.

    TVs, dressers, bookshelves, and other pieces of large furniture should be anchored; anything that could become unbalanced and topple over if a child were to play near it and bump it, or try to climb on it, should be anchored.

    Check your home for recalled furniture that has been known to be a tip-over risk. If you have recalled furniture, stop using it right away, and put it in an area where children cannot access it. Contact the recalling firm to get a refund, replacement, or repair.

    Any large television can tip-over if children are reaching or climbing. It’s advised to anchor all TVs to be safe, and anchoring takes only five minutes to save a life or prevent an injury.

    Visit anchorit.gov for additional information about their campaign, resources for consumers, and videos that can be used for broadcast segments.

    Consumers can ask manufacturers and retailers for anchoring kits. Sometimes, they come with the furniture when you order it.

    You can also buy anti-tip devices in retail stores or online, where they are sold for prices ranging from $5 to $25. Consumers can visit their local home improvement, electronic, or mass merchandise store to purchase anti-tip devices. An online search for “anti-tip strap” or “anti-tip kit” will result in a variety of purchase options. Install the anti-tip devices according to manufacturer instructions, and always double check the attachment points to make sure the device is secure.

    Please also feel free to contact Conner’s Legacy Foundation with any questions you may have.

      Consumers spent billions of dollars at furniture and home furnishings stores, electronics and appliance stores, and electronic online shopping sites during last year’s holiday season.

      Consumers may not know they also can purchase an anchoring kit or anti-tip devices to secure televisions and TVs.