IKEA Chest & Dresser Recall; 8th Child Fatality Reported

Categories: Consumer Recalls

On November 21, 2017, IKEA recalled about 17.3 million chests and dressers due to a serious tip-over hazard causing the injury and death of multiple children, including the death of 2-year old Jozef Dudek. The toddler died in May when he was crushed by an Ikea Malm dresser in his parents’ room after he was put down for a nap. (To see NPR’s report on the death of Dudek and other children from these products, click here.) The recalled MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14).  The recalled children’s and adult chests and dressers include the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall announcement the recalled MALM products include:


RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS

Names Sold Dates Measurements
MALM 3 10/2002 to 6/2016 31½” x 18⅞” x 30¾”
MALM 4 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½” x 18⅞” x 39½”
MALM 5 10/2002 to 4/2006 157/8” x 19” x 481/4
MALM 6 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½” x 18⅞” x 48⅜”
MALM 6 LONG 11/2002 to 6/2016 63” x 18⅞” x 30¾”
MALM 6 4/2006 to 6/2016 153/4” x 191/8” x 483/8

 

To see a complete list of other non-MALM chest and dressers included in IKEA’s recall, click here.

According to the recall announcement, IKEA has received 186 reports of tip-over incidents involving the MALM chests and dressers, including 91 reports of injuries to children. In addition, IKEA has received 113 reports of tip-overs with other recalled IKEA chests and dressers, including 53 reports of injuries to children:

There have been eight reports of child tip-over related deaths with the recalled chests and dressers.

  • The most recent reported death in May 2017 involved Jozef Dudek from Buena Park, CA

Previously reported deaths with MALM dressers or chests include:

  • February 2016: A 22-month-old boy from Apple Valley, Minn. died after an unanchored  MALM 6-drawer chest fell on top of him.
  • June 2014: A 23-month-old boy from Snohomish, Wash. died after he became trapped beneath an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest that tipped over.
  • February 2014: A 2-year-old boy from West Chester, Pa. died after an unanchored MALM 6-drawer chest tipped over fatally pinning him against his bed.
  • September 2011: A 2-year-old boy from Woodbridge, Va. died after an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest tipped over and trapped him between the dresser drawers.

Previously reported deaths with other model IKEA chests and dressers include:

  • July 1989: A 20-month-old girl from Mt. Vernon, Va. died after an unanchored GUTE 4-drawer chest tipped over and pinned her against the footboard of a youth bed.
  • March 2002: A 2½-year-old boy from Cranford, N.J. died after an unanchored RAKKE 5-drawer chest tipped over and fatally pinned him to the floor.
  • October 2007, a 3-year-old girl from Chula Vista, Calif. died after a KURS 3-drawer chest tipped over and fatally pinned her to the floor.  It is unknown whether the dresser was anchored or not.

The MALM chests and dressers are constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and are white, birch (veneer), medium brown, black-brown, white stained oak (veneer), oak (veneer), pink, turquoise, grey, grey-turquoise, lilac, green, brown stained ash (veneer), and black.  A 5-digit supplier number, 4-digit date stamp, IKEA logo, country of origin and “MALM” are printed on the underside of the top panel or inside the side panel.

ABOUT OUR FIRM

Attorney Pamela A. Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has successfully represented multiple clients who have sustained serious injury or whose loved ones have died as a result of defective or recalled products. For more information about the recall or safety alert, or to discuss a potential claim, contact Borgess Law at (567) 455-5955. You can also contact Borgess Law by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law never charges for initial consultations.  We welcome any questions you may have.