Swedish furniture store IKEA has issued an urgent recall of certain models of the popular MALM chest of drawers after it was reported that an eighth child has died as a result of the product tipping over.
The brand initially issued the recall in June 2016, but CEO Lars Petersson relaunched the announcement this week after the latest death, of a California toddler who was found trapped underneath an IKEA MALM dresser in May.
The tragedy has raised questions about whether IKEA has effectively spread the word about the recall since it was first announced.
While the Swedish company is not recalling the products in Britain, it has instead told consumers to ensure that they are securely fixed to a wall.
An example of the MALM drawers being recalled
At least eight children under the age of three have been killed when an IKEA dresser fell on them, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The first death occurred 28 years ago and the others occurred after 2002.
ITV reports that the latest death involved two-year-old Jozef Dudek of Buena Park in California.
The toddler had been put down for a nap when his father went in to check on him and found him under the dresser, according to details released by lawyers retained by the family.
Donna Moore from IKEA UK told ITV news that the chests of drawers meet safety standards, but should always be anchored securely to a wall.
She said: 'We would like to reassure people that IKEA chests of drawers are safe when anchored to the wall as per the assembly instructions, using the tip over restraint provided with the product.
'IKEA urges all customers to check that their chests of drawers are securely anchored to the wall.'
The recall applies only to customers in the U.S. and Canada, and is for children's chests and drawers taller than 23.5 inches and adult chests and dressers taller than 29.5 inches.
In the countries the recall affects, customers should contact IKEA for a free wall-mounting kit. The company is also offering to send crews to attach them in the home.
IKEA is offering full refunds for anyone who no longer wants the furniture. Customers can bring them to a store, or the brand will pick them up.
