Good, sturdy furniture really helps a place feel like a home. Whether it’s a condo, apartment, or house, proper furniture gives a home that lived-in feel that makes it a warm, welcoming place. Having some nice solid wood cabinets or play room furniture for the kids are great examples of making a place more welcoming. Of course, furniture can have hazards, especially when children are involved.
Prevention is key
Furniture tip-overs are one of the greatest dangers in the house. Preventing such accidents is an important part of home safety, again especially when kids are involved. Kids like to climb, you see, and that means tall or top-heavy furniture can become a serious danger for them. The same is true for climb-prone pets, like cats.
No Top-Heavy Furniture Pieces
One way to reduce the risk of tipping furniture is to make sure taller pieces aren’t top-heavy. Place heavier stuff on lower shelves to provide a solid base. Ensuring furniture is flat and level is always a good idea as well. It may seem obvious, but it can happen where a piece of furniture wobbles slightly. A tall, wobbly object can be a tipped over object under the right circumstances. Hopefully it’s more intricate than some coasters, but if you have wobbly furniture that might tip over, level it off somehow.
Anchor the Furniture
Ties and Clamps
Another way to prevent tipping furniture is to anchor them. Ties and clamps can be attached to furniture and a nearby wall. This method is extremely effective, but has the chance to damage both the piece and wall if not done correctly. It’s also not ideal for antique pieces, obviously. Still, it is an incredibly effective method.
Anchor at the Base
Another possible way to anchor furniture is at the base. Velcro or other adhesives on the feet of some pieces can help. The downside to this is it can damage the flooring and doesn’t work as well with carpeted surfaces. Anchoring the back or sides of a piece of furniture is better in this regard. It’s worth noting with shelves that some objects may still slide off even if anchored, so plan accordingly.
Place Furniture along Walls
To ensure properly braced and supported furniture, taller, less stable pieces need to be placed along walls. Walls that are inset from a lot of floor traffic help keep people from bumping into them and risking a tip. It won’t protect against adventurous children and pets, but anchors will. They come in a variety of ways and materials, but plastic ties and metal hinges are the most common furniture anchors available.
In conclusion
Furniture tipping over may not seem like a big everyday danger, but it is in fact one of the most common furniture based home accidents. Ensuring furniture pieces are secure and not overly top heavy are the best ways to make sure they don’t tip over. Owning lower, wider furniture can also help with this.
Anchors are the best preventive method, but when they’re not possible, make sure to do everything you can to protect guests, pets, and the pieces themselves. Furniture should make a home cozier and friendlier, not more dangerous. With the right tools and precautions, furniture tip-overs can be avoided and enjoyed by everyone.
