'07 Baby Boom Reaches Accident-Prone Year

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Thanks to an unprecedented number of births in 2007, more than 4.3 million youngsters in the United States are turning 3 this year – a prime age for curiosity, climbing and, unfortunately, furniture-related accidents.

Parents can help minimize the risk to children by heeding warning labels on new furnishings and following guidance supplied by the American Home Furnishings Alliance.

“When it comes to small children, the two most accident-prone pieces of furniture are bunk beds and anything holding a television,” says AHFA Vice President Jackie Hirschhaut. “Additionally, any piece of storage furniture taller than 30 inches – whether it’s a chest of drawers, a book case or any combination of drawers and shelves – presents a potential tip-over hazard,” she warns.

Prevent Bunk Bed Accidents
Thanks to specific design requirements, most bunk beds sold in the United States today are safer than ever – but parents still need to exercise caution to prevent mishaps.

Falls are the most common cause of bunk bed-related injuries, according to a study released in 2008 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study included data for patients treated in emergency rooms for bunk bed-related injuries from 1990 through 2005. Despite an industry-standard label that warns against allowing children under 6 years of age on an upper bunk, half of all bunk bed injuries reported in the study were among children under 5 years old.

“Clearly, many bunk bed injuries could be prevented simply by keeping underage children off the top bunk,” Hirschhaut points out.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) updated its mandatory requirements for bunk beds in 2000, addressing hazards associated with falls and entrapment. Current requirements include guardrails around the entire top bunk (with a 15-inch opening permitted for entering and exiting), specifications for how those guardrails are attached and a limit on mattress thickness (the guardrail must extend at least five inches above the top of the mattress).

In addition, a new voluntary construction standard was added in 2008 limiting the use of a corner post, finial or any other type of “vertical protrusion” in the design of a bunk bed. The restriction was added to reduce the possibility of something a child is wearing (or carrying) catching on the upper bunk and entangling the child.

The CPSC requires a warning label on all bunk beds. It advises parents to adhere to the following guidelines to help prevent serious or fatal injuries:

• Never allow a child under 6 years of age on an upper bunk.
• Use only a mattress that is 74-75 inches long and 37.5-38.5 inches wide on the upper bunk.
• Ensure the mattress is at least 5 inches below the upper edge of the guardrails.
• Prohibit horseplay on or under beds.
• Prohibit more than one person at a time on the upper bunk.
• Use the ladder for entering and leaving the upper bunk.
• Never attach or hang items to any part of the bunk bed that are not designed for use with the bed. Some examples include hooks, belts and jump ropes.

“Bunk beds are a popular choice for furnishing a child’s room,” notes Hirschhaut. “However, when bunk beds – or any other beds in the house – are used for play instead of sleep, accidents can occur.”

Guard Against Furniture Tip-Over
According to a study released by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus last year, 76 percent of furniture tip-over-related injuries from 1990-2007 involved children younger than 6 years old. About half of the injuries to children under 4 resulted when a television fell on the child. Another 24 percent of the injuries in this age group occurred when children pulled a piece of furniture over on top of themselves.

“These accidents tend to happen quickly – usually when a parent or caregiver leaves a young child alone briefly in a room,” Hirschhaut notes. “But it’s easy and inexpensive to safeguard your house by using tip restraints that attach furniture and televisions to the wall.”

In fact, an ASTM International standard now requires furniture manufacturers to include tip restraints with each chest, door chest, dresser or other storage unit taller than 30 inches. Although standards issued by ASTM are voluntary, it is the largest standards development organization in the United States, and its rulings play a critical role in reducing injuries and fatalities based on identified hazards in the use and performance of many household products.

“For furniture already in your home, you can find tip restraints online or in a local hardware store or baby supply store,” Hirschhaut recommends. A free sample tip restraint is available by clicking on the Consumer Safety Alert at www.findyourfurniture.com. Consumers should follow installation instructions carefully and make sure the restraint is anchored in a wall stud.

Furnishings that comply with the voluntary ASTM tip-over standard must pass a tip-over test that simulates the weight of a 50-pound child in an open drawer. The standard also requires manufacturers to place a warning label on the furniture that advises parents to follow these important safety rules:

• Place heaviest items in the lowest drawers.
• Never allow children to climb or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.
• Never open more than one drawer at a time.
• Do not defeat or remove the drawer interlock system.
• Do not place a television on any piece of furniture not specifically designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a television.

The American Home Furnishings Alliance, based in High Point, N.C., is the largest association of home furnishings companies in the world and represents more than 230 leading furniture manufacturers and distributors, plus about 160 suppliers to the furniture industry worldwide.