Thursday, June 26, 2008

PSA: Be sure to anchor your furniture!

Yesterday, during Isaiah's speech therapy, Debbie and I were catching up in the living room, while the kids had run into the playroom. All of a sudden, we heard a *crash*, followed by screaming. I ran in there as fast as I could, and found the dresser had fallen over... with a little arm sticking out from under it. It had fallen ON Isaiah! I screamed at Debbie to help me lift it up (it wasn't heavy, but the drawers were falling out, making it awkward to lift). It took a little while for Isaiah to calm down as he was obviously stunned, but fortunately he was okay. Just a little bruise on his arm that arnica took care of within a few hours. It could have been a LOT worse. I still feel like bawling whenever I think of pulling him out from under it- not knowing how broken his tiny body would be. I'm guessing that the kids had simply opened all the drawers, thus making it front-heavy. Fortunately, I've been seriously slacking on laundry, so the drawers were mostly empty. If they had been full- it would have been that much heavier. Thomas will be anchoring the dresser to either the wall or floor (depending on whether there is a stud behind it), as well as bookshelf. I urge you to look around the house and do the same to any furniture that could possibly tip over (either by something as innocent as opening drawers, or with a little more force such as the monkey-antics toddlers are known for).

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad he wasn't hurt. I had a bookcase fall on me as a little girl (I was a climber) and it hit my lower back and hurt me pretty bad. I also climbed on my play kitchen as a little girl, fell and have a scar on my forehead to this day!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad he's ok! We bought one of those dressers that has catches for her room because of this-and I used to forget it wouldnt let me open all the drawers when I put laundry away, deiving me insane. Now I am glad! But then Lydia doesnt seem to be as adventureous as other kids either lol.

Anonymous said...

I came across this blog while trying to find an anchor online. Your son is very fortunate that he was not badly hurt. I know of a two year old girl who died from her dresser falling on her. It was absolutely devastating...and so preventable. I don't think parents realize how dangerous heavy furniture can be.