Your Favorite Chair May Not Be as Safe as You Think

After a long day on our feet, we look forward to coming home and sitting in our favorite chair. It should be one of the safest things that we do. Unfortunately, our favorite place to sit may not be as safe as we think. In some situations, furniture that is designed or manufactured poorly can lead to a serious injury. Knowing how to tell if a piece of furniture has been poorly designed or manufactured can help you avoid injury and stay safe.

Furniture Injuries and Accidents

Although dangerous furniture isn’t something that you hear about every day, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the furniture you have is safe. Potential furniture hazards may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Poor design that increases the risk of it tipping over. In 2016, furniture that tipped over resulted in 2,800 children being injured.

• Collapsing of sofas, chairs, and other furniture.

• Sharp edges that are left on furniture after it has been manufactured, particularly if those sharp edges are located in an area where they shouldn’t exist.

• Furniture that easily breaks leaving sharp edges that may result in injuries.

• Furniture that is made using hazardous chemicals that could cause respiratory distress or other health issues.

The pieces of furniture most likely to be a danger in your home include dressers and shelves. These items are often top heavy and can tip over creating a high risk of injuries.

How to Identify Well-Designed Furniture

With so many possibly hazardous pieces of furniture being sold today, it is important to be able to identify furniture that is high-quality and won’t be a danger to you or your children. Qualities to look for in furniture include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Furniture that is of sturdy construction that won’t be as likely to fall apart or have dangerous edges.
• Furniture that has anchors to tether the piece to the wall so it won’t tip over and injure someone, particularly a child.
• TV cabinets and other furniture pieces that don’t have bottom drawers. When these drawers are open, they increase the risk of the piece tipping over.
• Furniture that was built using non-toxic materials.
• Furniture that has rounded edges rather than corners that are sharp.

Choosing furniture that has been made with high-quality materials and design are a big step towards keeping your family and those who visit your home safe. Although these pieces of furniture may cost more up front, they are worth the investment for you and your loved one’s safety.

Seeking Legal Representation After Furniture Injuries

If you or your loved one has been injured due to furniture that was designed or manufactured poorly, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help you determine what your legal options may be. Contact the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez and let us help ensure that your rights are protected.

Resource:

people.com/home/report-finds-furniture-tip-overs-cause-injuries-every-17-minutes/