IKEA Malm chest of drawers recalled again: 3 people died by defective design of child safety lock
Recently, IKEA once again recalled the MALM series of drawers due to safety issues, because of the flaws in its child safety lock design, which has caused the death of at least three children worldwide. This is the second time that the product has been pushed into the public opinion trend due to similar issues after a large-scale recall in 2016. The following is the structured analysis of events and data collation.
1. Event background
Malm drawer cabinets are a classic product of IKEA, but they have caused overturning accidents many times due to unstable center of gravity and not equipped with effective fixtures. The recall involves some batches produced after 2016, and the safety lock may fail under certain circumstances, causing the cabinet to tip over.
| Recall time | Countries involved | Number of recalls (10,000 pieces) | Death case |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | The United States, Canada, the European Union, etc. | 12.3 | 3 (2021-2023) |
| June 2016 | 29 countries around the world | 2900 | 6 (1989-2016) |
2. Detailed analysis of defects
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following problems exist in the security locks of the batch involved:
| Defect Type | Specific performance | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Locking mechanism is easy to fall off | Children pull the drawer to separate the locks | Extremely high (can cause the cabinet to overturn) |
| Installation instructions are unclear | The necessity of wall fixation is not emphasized | high |
3. Consumer response measures
IKEA officially provides the following solutions:
| measure | Applicable objects | Operation method |
|---|---|---|
| Free replacement of security locks | Purchase users from 2016 to 2023 | Apply for repair kit on the official website |
| Full refund | Users who cannot install fixtures | Need to provide a purchase certificate |
4. Comparison of industry safety standards
This incident once again triggered discussions on furniture safety standards. The following is a comparison of current standards in major countries:
| Country/Region | Chest of drawer stability requirements | Children's warning signs |
|---|---|---|
| United States (ASTM F2057) | Under no load state, it needs to bear 50 pounds of tension | Forced labeling |
| EU (EN 14749) | Need to pass the capsulant test (10° tilt) | Recommended marking |
| China (GB 28007) | Need to be fixed to the wall | Forced labeling |
5. Public opinion reaction and social influence
After the incident was exposed, social media monitoring data showed:
| platform | Related topics (10,000) | The proportion of negative emotions |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | 68% | |
| 12.7 | 83% | |
| 1.5 | 57% |
The consumer rights organization "Safe Children Global" issued a statement calling on IKEA to comprehensively upgrade its product design and recommended legislation mandate that all drawer cabinets with a height of more than 60 cm must be pre-installed with wall fixtures.
6. Corporate response and future improvements
Eva Kalsson, global head of product safety at IKEA, said in a press conference: "We are developing the third generation anti-capsulse system and plan to complete the renewal of all high-risk products by 2025." At the same time, the company will invest US$2 million in children's home safety education projects.
The recall once again sounded the alarm for children's home safety. Experts recommend that parents check the fixation of the drawer cabinets at home immediately and give priority to products that meet the latest safety standards.
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