Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 30 40 54
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
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From a child’s point of view, your home looks like a big playground. But there are hidden dangers they don’t recognise. Unstable furniture can tip over when a child climbs or pulls on it. This can cause serious injuries if it lands on top of them. It can even be fatal.
Since 2000, at least 27 people have died in Australia due to toppling furniture. Many more have been admitted to emergency rooms with injuries. Children under the age of 5 are particularly at risk and suffer the highest proportion of toppling furniture deaths and injuries in Australia.
The three most common furniture items were chairs, chests of drawers/tallboys and tables/benches/desks and the most common electrical appliance by far was the television.
Think safety first with these helpful tips:
In Western Australia property managers and landlords must allow tenants, who submit a request form, to attach furniture to a wall to prevent a child, or a person with a disability, from being hurt or killed.
The request can only be refused in very limited circumstances, such as when the home is heritage-listed or if the walls contain asbestos.
In the case of furnished rental properties, landlords should affix furniture prior to tenants moving in.
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