Ikea will continue to sell a series of popular chests of drawers in Australia despite a recall in north America following toppling incidents that caused the deaths of six toddlers.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said at least six children, all of whom were three years old or younger, have been killed when an Ikea chest or dresser toppled over and crushed them.

The Swedish retail giant has recalled 29 million chests and dressers, including its popular Malm product, in the US.

However Ikea Australia says it will not recall the same products.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has met with Ikea, and the consumer watchdog says US regulators have not identified a safety defect in the furniture.

“Consumers in Australia are already able to request tip over restraints and wall anchoring instructions for all Ikea chests and dressers as part of Ikea’s `Secure it’ campaign launched globally in July 2015,” the ACCC said in a statement.

Ikea said its chest of drawers are safe when attached to a wall as directed in the assembly instructions, and safety tips are also available in-store and on its website.

“Ikea provides anti-tip restraints and instructions for wall anchoring with all chest of drawers,” it said.

The ACCC’s Product Safety Australia website says at least 14 children under nine years old have died in Australia between 2000 and 2015 in incidents where domestic furniture fell on them.

The Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit at Monash University recorded 909 emergency department visits in Victoria between 2006 to 2014 for injuries related to furniture tip-overs.

Of these injuries, half were experienced by children four years old and under, and the majority of accidents happened at home.

The Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit at the Mater Hospital also found toppling furniture to be a major hazard, with 1,032 cases recorded between 1999 and 2013 involving children under five years of age.

The ACCC advises parents to buy low-set furniture with stable bases, and to anchor furniture to a wall.

AAP

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