Ikea US have recalled millions of pieces of furniture from their popular Malm range after an investigation into the deaths of three children who were crushed to death by the furniture. The products have been removed from the US Ikea website and a recall has been issued for the range of chests and drawers.
The situation in the UK is that this furniture is still being sold on the Ikea website and no recall has been issued in this country. Ikea have reportedly said that a recall would not be issued in the UK or Ireland and a statement is expected later today.
NBC News reported that the US recall was being made by the retailer after a campaign to get parents to secure the furniture to walls to make it safe resulted in 300,000 kits being sent out - with more than 27 million pieces of the furniture in people's homes in the US.
Ikea USA president Lars Peterson told NBC News that after the three deaths of three children it is no longer selling its Malm series products because they " could be a danger".
" Please take them out of the room," Peterson said, whilst also adding a reminder that customers can get a free repair kit to anchor the furniture to a wall. Refunds will also be offered in the US.
Ikea said in a statement to NBC news that it issued the recall despite the anchor campaign as " It is clear that there are still unsecured products in customers' homes. We believe that taking further action is the right thing to do."
The situation is Europe is slightly different to the US market as all Malm furniture was already supplied with wall-fixing kits, and this was not the case in the US.
We will keep you informed should Ikea UK issue any further advice or information.
If parents have not yet fixed their furniture to the wall you can obtain one by contacting Ikea.
Call Ikea UK on 0203 6450010 (UK) or 01 5413302 (ROI) to request a free restraint kit if you do not have the original one that came with the packaging.
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