Frank Martin
01-11-2010, 8:45 PM
Yesterday afternoon I had the scariest experience I had in my life.... Wanted to share the story and my lesson learned hoping this might avoid a similar situation for others, especially those with small kids at home.
I was taking a shower and heard a big bang and my 4 year old son's scream immediately afterwards. For a split second I thought we had an earthquake (recently moved to LA area so we are still getting used to it). Then I ran out to the bedroom with shampoo still on my head and saw my son under the large 10-drawer dresser that tipped over him. His entire body other than the top of his head was buried under the drawers. To say the least I was shocked!!!
Apparently, he got a little curious and opened all the drawers and perhaps stepped on one of the lower ones that caused the dresser tip over him. I think he was very lucky because the case did not completely tip over and got propped up at about 45 degrees to the floor with some of the drawers that got stuck between the floor and the case. Other than couple small cuts and bruises on his face that happened when the drawers hit his face, he is basically fine. After physically examining, the doctors at the ER did not see a need for imaging.
Lesson learned for me is to fasten all big furniture items to the walls using earthquake straps. Some time ago I also saw a tip possibly in Fine Woodworking where somebody installed a rope in the back of a bank of drawers which has enough slack to let you open only one drawer at a time. Unfortunately, this is not an easy retrofit in my situation as the case back is glued in place, but if I make another dresser, I will definitely include this safety feature.
I was taking a shower and heard a big bang and my 4 year old son's scream immediately afterwards. For a split second I thought we had an earthquake (recently moved to LA area so we are still getting used to it). Then I ran out to the bedroom with shampoo still on my head and saw my son under the large 10-drawer dresser that tipped over him. His entire body other than the top of his head was buried under the drawers. To say the least I was shocked!!!
Apparently, he got a little curious and opened all the drawers and perhaps stepped on one of the lower ones that caused the dresser tip over him. I think he was very lucky because the case did not completely tip over and got propped up at about 45 degrees to the floor with some of the drawers that got stuck between the floor and the case. Other than couple small cuts and bruises on his face that happened when the drawers hit his face, he is basically fine. After physically examining, the doctors at the ER did not see a need for imaging.
Lesson learned for me is to fasten all big furniture items to the walls using earthquake straps. Some time ago I also saw a tip possibly in Fine Woodworking where somebody installed a rope in the back of a bank of drawers which has enough slack to let you open only one drawer at a time. Unfortunately, this is not an easy retrofit in my situation as the case back is glued in place, but if I make another dresser, I will definitely include this safety feature.