Klobuchar was joined by Minnesotan Janet McGee, whose 22-month-old son, Teddy, died tragically in 2016 after a dresser toppled over
The bipartisan STURDY Act would strengthen furniture safety standards to prevent children from being injured by fatal furniture tip-overs
MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) held a press conference at Minnesota Children’s Hospital to highlight tools and resources to protect children from furniture tip-over injuries. Each year, 22,500 Americans are sent to the emergency room as a result of furniture tip-over injuries, and 44 percent of them are children.
Klobuchar was joined by representatives from the Children’s Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis, and furniture tip-over prevention advocate Janet McGee. McGee, of Eagan, Minnesota, lost her 22-month-old son, Teddy, in 2016 after a dresser toppled over while he was taking a nap.
“No family should live in fear that their child could be severely injured or even killed by preventable accidents,” said Klobuchar. “I was glad to talk with advocates and medical professionals about the need to strengthen our furniture safety standards and protect more children from the risks of furniture tip-overs.”
Klobuchar emphasized the need to pass legislation to strengthen furniture safety standards. She introduced the bipartisan, bicameral STURDY Act along with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). This bill would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to set mandatory rules for manufacturers to prevent furniture tip-overs, including requiring companies to test their products for safety and stability before being sold. The legislation has been endorsed by consumer groups, Parents Against Tip-overs, and manufacturers and retailers like IKEA, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Williams-Sonoma.
Tips for protecting children from furniture prevention injuries include:
- Anchor furniture to the wall;
- Store heavier items in lower shelves, and lower drawers;
- Avoid displaying or storing items that children may be tempted to climb to reach for;
- Keep TV and cable cords out of reach for children; and
- Always place TVs on a sturdy, low base.
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