What is a furniture tip restraint?
A tip restraint secures furniture to the wall to help prevent it from tipping over. Tip restraint kits typically include a bracket that is screwed into a wall stud, a bracket that attaches to the back of the furniture, and a plastic or metal cable or nylon strap that connects the brackets, thereby holding the furniture in place.
Why are certain New Age Industries tip restraint kits being recalled?
The recalled tip restraint kits, manufactured by New Age Industries of Vietnam, include a plastic zip tie, two brackets and two screws. The plastic zip tie in the recalled kit can become brittle or break, which can allow furniture anchored to the wall to detach when subjected to the weight of a child climbing or playing on the furniture. This poses a furniture tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in serious injury or death to children.
What companies are participating in the recall?
Companies and brands participating in the recall include American Drew, American Woodcrafters, Amini Innovation Corporation (AICO), Ashley Furniture Industries, aspenhome, Austin Group Furniture, Avalon International, Bassett Furniture Industries, Drew & Jonathan by Hooker Furnishings, Emery Park, FD Home Corp., Flexsteel Industries, Furniture Values International, Homelegance USA, Hooker Furnishings, Kincaid Furniture, LC Direct Furniture, Legacy Classic | Modern Furniture, Liberty Furniture Industries, Magnussen Home Furnishings, New Classic Home Furnishings, Parker House Furniture, Progressive Furniture, Pulaski Furniture, Riverside Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, Springhill Designs, Standard Furniture Manufacturing Company, Universal Furniture, Van Thiel & Co., and Vanguard Furniture Company.
How do I know if furniture I own came with one of the recalled tip restraint kits?
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Examine the package. If you did not use the tip restraint, it may still be attached to the back of the unit or secured inside the back of a top drawer. It will be in a white plastic bag with black lettering. At the bottom of the package, it will say, “Manufactured by New Age Industries Co., LTD”, followed by a Vietnam mailing address. See the photo below:
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Check the furniture’s date of manufacture. The recalled tip restraint kits were sold with clothing storage furniture manufactured in Vietnam after November 2019. The date of manufacture should be listed on a sticker on the back of the unit or stamped on the back of the unit. The date should be November 2019 or later.
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Confirm the manufacturer of the unit. The manufacturer name may be included with the date stamp on the back of the unit. It may be on a name plate or on a stamp inside a drawer. Or, if you still have your receipt for the furniture, it may be listed on your receipt.
If you installed the tip restraint and no longer have the packaging; if you cannot find the date of manufacture and/or you do not have the name of the manufacturer; you may still request a replacement tip restraint if you purchased the unit in November 2019 or later and it came with a plastic zip tie-style tip restraint.
If I never installed the tip restraint, where might I find it?
If you did not use the tip restraint, it may be attached to the back of the unit or secured inside a top drawer. It will be in a white plastic bag with black lettering. At the bottom of the package, it will say, “Manufactured by New Age Industries Co., LTD”, followed by a Vietnam mailing address. Do not use this tip restraint. Contact Alliance4Safety for your free replacement tip restraint kit.
If I DID install the tip restraint, what should I do?
Contact Alliance4Safety for your free replacement tip kit. Keep children away from the unit until your replacement kit arrives and you install it. Then discard the recalled tip restraint.
How do I request my free replacement tip kit?
Go to www.Alliance4Safety.org/new-age-recall and complete the request form. You may also call Alliance4Safety toll-free at 855-416-7370 or email info@alliance4safety.org.
How long will it take for the replacement kit to arrive?
Replacement kits typically take between 4 and 6 weeks to arrive.
What tools do I need to install the replacement kit, and does it come with installation instructions?
The replacement kit includes instructions for installation. You will need a Phillips head screwdriver and a pencil for marking a location for the bracket on the wall. You may also wish to have a drill to create a pilot hole, which will make screwing into the wood stud easier. Finally, an inexpensive stud finder will ensure you have the bracket in the right location to anchor into the stud behind the drywall.
Can I take my furniture back to the store for a refund if it came with a tip restraint kit that is now recalled?
No. Furniture is not included in this recall. ONLY the plastic tip restraint kits manufactured by New Age Industries that were shipped with the furniture are recalled.
Why should I anchor clothing storage furniture to the wall?
Furniture tip-over incidents impact thousands of families every year. Tip-overs can occur when children pull on, hang on or attempt to climb furniture that is not anchored to the wall. Furniture does not need to be heavy or tall to cause serious injury or death. Unanchored units only 30 inches high have fallen over and caused injury or death. From 2000 to 2021, 93 children were killed in tip-over accidents involving a chest, bureau or dresser. Anchoring furniture with drawers or shelves is a standard childproofing task for any home where small children reside or visit regularly.
Where can I find instructions for anchoring furniture?
Instructions and videos for anchoring furniture in different types of walls are available at www.anchorit.gov in both Spanish and English.
If I have additional questions, how can I contact Alliance4Safety?
You can contact Alliance4Safety toll-free at 855-416-7370 or email info@alliance4safety.org.