Ask The Safety Guy - furniture bracing - how and what to do?

Dana | May 04, 2009 | 0 | Posted in Baby Talk

Kacey from San Jose asks:

Which pieces of furniture should I brace to the wall and how can I do so?

Many parents overlook the hazard associated with the potential toppling of furniture. Living in California, we need to protect against both earthquakes and climbing children that cause furniture to topple and potentially cause serious injury.

The obvious pieces to brace are the tall and narrow bookcases. Unfortunately, a lot of parents stop at this point, not recognizing other equal or greater hazards. Shorter and apparently more stable pieces should also be secured, especially if they are climbable and especially if they have drawers.

Dressers, even relatively short ones, will readily topple if a toddler opens the drawers and climbs up the ladder-like steps. Shorter bookcases, changing tables, grandfather clocks, armoires and china cabinets should be secured in most cases. Stacked units, such as desk and shelf units, two-piece china cabinets and entertainment centers are particularly prone to toppling in earthquakes unless they are properly secured.

Technically, anything that is taller than it is wide can topple. However, a good rule of thumb is that if a piece of furniture is more than twice as tall as it is deep, it should probably be braced. Heavy objects such as armoires, entertainment centers, and china cabinets are not immune from this recommendation. Although your child may not climb on or pull these pieces over, a strong earthquake may.

Televisions warrant special attention. In many homes, the televisions have gotten bigger and bigger while the television stand has remained the same size. A large TV on a modest stand can readily topple, especially when an excited child watching their favorite video shakes or pulls on the TV or stand. Unfortunately, several children are killed or severely injured each year when TVs topple, thus TVs should also be braced or secured in a large cabinet.

Occasionally, parents are reluctant to brace an antique or heirloom piece, as they are concerned that bracing it will cause damage or reduce its value. Neither concern is valid since you can typically brace the furniture from behind without marring any of the finished surfaces, and the small screw holes that are required are insignificant relative to the damage and danger caused if the piece topples in an earthquake.

Now that we have identified which pieces of furniture should be braced, next time I will discuss the techniques and products for securely bracing them to the walls in your home.

Submit your questions to pros@homesafety.net.  Martin Simenc, The Safety Guy, is the President of Home Safety Services, Inc., the Bay Area’s largest and highest rated baby proofing company.  They can be reached at 1-888-388-3811 or www.homesafety.net.

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