Make furniture safe for kids by doing the following.
1.
Take These Precautions
* Anchor large furniture like cabinets, bookshelves, and china closets, to the wall with angle brackets or spreading drywall anchors (Fig. 1). This prevents children from pulling heavy furniture on top of themselves.
* Be wary around recliner chairs--they can trap the heads of small children between the leg rest and the seat.
* Prevent children from opening cabinets and drawers. Install pressure-release latches for cabinet doors and spring-loaded latches for drawers. U-shaped cabinet slide locks are another option to help keep children out of dangerous areas. (Fig. 2)
* Avoid mesh drop-sided playpens and portable cribs--they can suffocate infants if they roll over and get trapped in the mesh. Infant cushions and pillows can also be hazardous.
* Store away furniture that can't be secured or may pose a hazard to your child.
* Cover exposed sharp points of furniture with foam. Put "corner cushions" on sharp edges of cabinetry, countertops, and furniture.
* Choose beds, cribs and playpens that meet regulations. Be especially wary about used furniture that may not meet today's standards. Check slat sizes, cornerposts, decorative knobs, guardrails, hardware failures, and improper mattress and box spring support.
* Not all toy chests are safe. The safer types are lightweight with a removable lid or sliding door, no latch or lock, and allow for ventilation on at least one side. Install a spring-loaded lid-support mechanism to keep the lid from falling onto your child.
