Could a New Design Stop Dresser Tip-Overs and Save Children's Lives?

A child dies every 10 days from furniture tipping over and crushing them, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Now federal safety experts are weighing in on a new dresser design from a giant retailer that's supposed to prevent tip overs.

Crystal Ellis said she knows the pain of losing her child after a dresser tipped and crushed him.

"My husband went to wake him for breakfast two days before his second birthday. And he was under his dresser, not breathing," Ellis said.

For years, parents and child safety advocates have pressured the furniture industry to build safer dressers.

Ikea has been under fire for its dressers which can easily tip over, crushing children. It has recalled millions of them. 

Now the furniture giant is announcing a new line designed to prevent tip overs.

Ikea says the furniture has stability features including an interlock that allows you to open only one drawer at a time, unless the dresser is attached to the wall.

Another version of the dresser will prevent you from opening any of the drawers until the unit is attached to the wall.

"As an agency, we talk about designing out the hazard and perhaps these dressers will do just that," said Ann Marie Buerkle of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

But the commission continues to warn parents: there are still millions of dressers that are tip over hazards already in homes. The CPSC encourages parents to anchor them to the wall.

"You can anchor your dresser in five minutes. The straps are relatively inexpensive," Buerkle said.

They say it's a simple and inexpensive move that just might save a life.

Safety advocates also advise parents to avoid placing objects, or toys, on top of dressers. Kids are inclined to pull out drawers to climb up.

The new dressers are scheduled to hit Ikea store shelves in December, and the industry overall is working on stricter safety standards.

Until December, here are more safety tips from the CPSC:

Use Sturdy Furniture

Televisions should only be placed on furniture designed to hold a television, such as television stands or media centers.

Secure Your TV

Televisions that are not wall mounted should still be anchored to the wall.

Mount Flat Screen TVs

Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall or to furniture to prevent them from toppling over.

Follow Instructions

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure TVs and furniture properly.

Low and Stable — CRT TV

Recycle older CRT televisions, or non-LCD flat-panel TVs. 

Secure Top-Heavy Furniture

Existing furniture can be anchored with inexpensive anti-tip brackets. New furniture, such as dressers, are sold with anti-tip devices. Install them right away.

Remove Tempting Objects

Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.