Household furniture

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• Have you ever considered that your household furni
• Before you buy furniture
• Safety at home

Have you ever considered that your household furni

Before you buy furniture

• Avoid bookshelves or chest of drawers with legs; make sure they have a broad and stable base.
  
• Ensure that all drawers and shelves are sturdy and do not fall out easily.
  
• Select a table that is sturdy and can be sat on without it tipping over - remember, tables aren't designed for sitting but it does happen.
  
• Be cautious about buying glass top tables, and if you do, ensure that the glass is thick and toughened.
  
• Select chairs that are sturdy and stable with non-slip leg ends rather than wheels or castors
  
• Test a chair by leaning backwards and forwards on it to ensure the chair will not slip out from under a person seated on it.
  
• Make sure there are no rough surfaces, sharp edges or protrusions on any piece of furniture that may catch on clothing.

Safety at home

• Secure all tall furniture (particularly those with drawers or shelves) to a stable wall (use angle-brackets available from hardware stores).
  
• Install corner protectors on sharp edges of tables, kitchen benches and counters.
  
• Consider traffic flow within rooms and place furniture accordingly.
  
• Move unstable furniture away from where children play.
  
• Discourage children from climbing onto furniture to play.
  
• Do not place Items that are attractive or interesting to children on shelving units or furniture that a child is likely to climb upon.
  
• Never place a child on a table, particularly when in a bouncer or bouncinette.
  
• Take care when placing electrical appliances (eg. stereo, television or lamp) on furniture. Ensure all cords are hidden to minimise the chance of a small child pulling the appliance down on top of them.

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