Whereas, According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in the United States furniture tip-over incidents result in a child visiting the emergency room every 37 minutes, and one child dying every 11 days; and

Whereas, The use of tip restraints or furniture anchors is an effective way to prevent tip-overs, however, only 27% of Americans anchor their furniture, and experts tell Consumer Reports that public health education and outreach programs are frequently ineffective about the use of anchors if not coupled with other actions, such as legislation; and

Whereas, Current federal legislation, the STURDY Act, has been introduced in the United States House and Senate and would require new mandatory safety standards versus existing voluntary weak standards for all free-standing clothing storage units, and testing that more closely simulates real world use including to account for impact on clothing storage unit stability of carpeting, drawers with items in them, multiple open drawers, dynamic force and use by children up to 72 months of age and 60 lbs.; and

Whereas, New York State recently passed laws prohibiting the sale of new clothing furniture units that don’t meet the voluntary standard and requiring all heavy furniture and televisions to be anchored in public spaces for children, child daycare centers, similar facilities and any agency boarding home or group home; now therefore be it

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations shall support child safety through advocacy for the STURDY Act; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations shall advocate for legislation that requires the sale of anchoring kits with new furniture units, anchoring of furniture and televisions in public spaces, such as, but not limited to, child daycare centers, and similar facilities, and to prohibit the sale of furniture that does not meet anti-tip safety standards; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations shall collaborate with safety-oriented organizations and promote educating families and the community about the dangers of unanchored furniture in their homes and public spaces.

Adopted: by the 2021 Convention Delegates