Consumer Watchdog Agency Passes Rule to Protect Children from Furniture Tip-overs

For Immediate Release: October 19, 2022

Contact:
Dev Gowda, KID, (630) 915-6025, dev@kidsindanger.org
Rachel Weintraub, CFA, (202) 904-4953, rweintraub@consumerfed.org

Bethesda, MD – Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Kids In Danger (KID) applaud the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) vote today to pass a final rule to address furniture instability. Prior to today’s vote, there was no mandatory standard for dressers and other clothing storage units despite at least 199 child deaths since 2000.

The current voluntary standard was weak and not effective enough to prevent tip-overs. CFA and KID have been urging the CPSC to finalize a strong mandatory rule to prevent furniture tip-overs for several years. The CPSC’s long-awaited vote today was the result of years of advocacy from parents and consumer groups.

“The CPSC’s final vote today will prevent child deaths and injuries due to furniture tip-overs, and could not have been possible without the years-long advocacy of parents who have lost children to tip-overs,” said Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids In Danger. “The wait for safer furniture will soon be over and we urge strong compliance actions by CPSC to make it a reality.”

“We applaud today’s CPSC vote to finalize a rule for furniture stability. This decision is profound and will save lives,” stated Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel with Consumer Federation of America. “Too many children have died and too many families have suffered tragic losses due to furniture tip-overs. Their unimaginable losses and tireless advocacy have made this rule a reality.”

The CPSC passed the rule today by a vote of 3 to 1, and the final rule will go into effect in 180 days. CFA and KID also support the STURDY Act, which is another path forward to preventing furniture tip-overs. Different versions of the bill have previously passed the House and Senate. The Senate most recently passed the legislation and the House is now considering that version of the bill.

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Founded in 1998, Kids In Danger (KID) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for product safety. 

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]