Trapped by a fallen dresser: An important reminder to secure your furniture

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A Utah father is reminding parents of young children to secure furniture to the walls after a terrifying ordeal involving his 2-year-old twins.

A video posted to Facebook shows one of the boys saving the other after a dresser fell on top of him.

Scary video: Dresser falls on toddler 

Read more: Try this safety hack before taking your child to a crowded place

The father of the twins, Ricky Shoff, included the following message with the Facebook post, urging parents to secure furniture, such as dressers, to the wall. 

Shoff is thankful that his children escaped the ordeal unharmed.

‘I’ve been a little hesitant to post this. But I feel it’s not only to bring awareness, but it is also incredible. We are so grateful for the bond that these twin brothers share. We know Bowdy was not alone in moving the dresser off of Brock. And feel blessed that he is ok. Please make sure all your dressers are bolted and secured to the wall. Please share.’

This incident comes after Ikea recalled 29 million dressers last year due to a tip-over hazard.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a child dies every two weeks when a TV, furniture or appliance falls on him or her.

In addition, there are about 25,000 injuries per year as a result of these accidents.

“Every 24 minutes in the U.S. a child goes to the emergency room because of a tip-over incident involving furniture or a TV,” said CPSC Commissioners Marietta Robinson and Joseph Mohorovic in a statement.

Here are some of the safety tips provided by the CPSC:

  • Buy and install low-cost anchoring devices to prevent TVs, dressers, bookcases or other furniture from tipping.
  • Avoid leaving items, such as remote controls and toys, in places where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach for them.
  • Store heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
  • Place TVs on a sturdy, low base and push them as far back as possible, particularly if anchoring is not possible.
  • If purchasing a new TV, consider recycling older ones not currently used. If moving the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored properly to the wall.

For more information to help you secure furniture and TVs, visit the CPSC online.

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