Modus Furniture Recalls Unstable Dressers for Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards
Modus Furniture of Los Angeles, California, has recalled hundreds of unstable nine-drawer dressers because of tip-over and entrapment hazards that could cause the injury or death of a child.
Our Child Injury Lawyers have successfully represented the victims of recalled and defective products, earning national recognition for their dedicated pursuit of justice on behalf of injured kids and their families.
Recalled Modus Dressers Don’t Comply with Voluntary Industry Standard
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Modus Furniture dresser recall affects around 1,300 units sold at Costco and other furniture stores nationwide and online from November 2017 through December 2019. Six models priced between $700 and $1,000 are included:
- Brighton nine-drawer dressers
- Bow-front dressers
- Travis nine-drawer dressers
- Travis nine-drawer double dressers
- Bevelle dressers
- Wooden nine-drawer dressers with tapered feet
“The recalled dressers are unstable if the mirror is not installed, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in death or injuries to children,” the June 18, 2020 recall notice states. The dressers do not comply with one of the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM 2057-17). The tip-over restraint kits do not comply with the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (F3096-14).
The mahogany and cherry wood veneers dressers have satin nickel-finished pull knobs and handles. They each weigh about 245 pounds and are roughly 63 inches wide by 20 inches deep and 41 inches high. A label on the back of the furniture displays the date of manufacture and “MADE IN INDONESIA.”
Modus Furniture is contacting all known purchasers directly. Those who have not been contacted should call Modus at 1-888-859-2129 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday) for a free replacement tip-over restraint kit. Modus Furniture is also offering a one-time, free in-home installation of the kit.
Consumers should keep kids away from the dressers until the repair is complete.
Recent Dresser and Cabinet Recalls
In the last 10 months alone, seven other furniture manufacturers have recalled unstable dressers and cabinets because of similar tip-over and entrapment hazards.
In May, Herman Miller and Design Within Reach recalled around 2,700 Nelson Cabinets and Lauki Dressers, following a report of one tip-over incident that did not result in injury or property damage. The dressers and cabinets were sold at the Herman Miller NY store, Design Within Reach stores nationwide, at hermanmiller.com and dwr.com, and through wholesale dealers from September 2010 through January 2020.
A recall announced in April 2020 involved around 100 Blythe dressers sold at Joybird.com from October 2017 through January 2019.
In March, Ikea recalled 1 million Kullen three-drawer dressers that were sold in the United States and Canada from April 2005 through December 2019. The recall followed six tip-over reports, including one incident that resulted in a minor cut and another involving minor cuts and bruises.
That same month, Homestar recalled more than 33,000 Finch three-drawer dressers sold by various online retailers, including Amazon.com, Hayneedle.com, Overstock.com, and Walmart.com, from January 2016 through May 2019.
In August 2019, Kirkland’s recalled about 3,000 Black Wash Mirrored Chests and Six-Drawer Camille Chests sold at Kirkland’s Stores nationwide and online from January 2016 through May 2019.
Then in October 2019, E&E recalled around 1,800 INK+IVY Renu three-drawer dressers sold by Wayfair.com and other online retailers from January 2017 through September 2019.
The very same day, Ridgewood Industries, Inc. recalled around 1 million Belmont four-drawer dressers sold at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and online from April 2013 to September 2019.
Tip-Over Accidents Kills Roughly 1 Child Every 2 Weeks
One person is injured every 20 minutes – and one child dies roughly every two weeks – when a piece of furniture, an appliance, or a TV falls on top of them. Dresser tip-overs have killed at least 212 people since 2000, mostly children 6 and younger.
There is no mandatory standard requiring furniture manufacturers to ensure their products are safe and stable. However, the voluntary industry standard requires any dresser 27 inches or taller to remain upright when a 50-lb weight is hung from a single open drawer while all others are closed. Many injuries occur when a toddler or young child climbs on a dresser to reach a toy or something they want.
Meanwhile, safety advocates and families continue to push for passage of the STURDY Act, which would require the CPSC to adopt mandatory and more robust federal stability standards. The STURDY Act recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now awaiting a vote in the Senate.
As a nationally recognized Child Injury Lawyer, Jeffrey Killino has extensive experience representing the victims of furniture tip-overs and other preventable accidents. If your son or daughter was hurt because of an unstable dresser or cabinet , please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-877-875- 2927.
