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Macaroni Safety

Anchoring Dressers

By Vicki Little June 15, 2011

It is in all the safety guidelines. All the parenting books and magazines. It is even in the instruction manuals. But yet, it is something that is often overlooked, put on a to-do list or simply forgotten about. But not doing it can cause some very severe consequences. I was actually surprised how many people told me they hadn't done it and my story caused them to get it done. Anchoring dressers and bookshelves to the wall.

When we moved, my husband had a honey-do list a mile long. On the top of that list was to anchor the shelves because my kids like to dress themselves, but they can't reach all of the drawers. I was told "I will get it done after I go to the hardware store." But then it happened.

I was sitting in the living room ironing and I heard a loud bang and then a horrific scream from my daughter. I ran to the kids' room, and didn't see her at first. The dresser was tipped over and resting on the open drawers. My daughter, thankfully, was standing in front of the tipped over dresser. I breathed a sigh of relief until I looked closer and saw that her face was covered in blood. What had happened was that the snow globe on top of the dresser fell on top of her head and broke. there were small shards of glass all over her hair, her face, her clothes, the floor, everywhere. I ran her into the kitchen, but sat there helpless, not knowing where to start. I didn't want to rub the blood away, that would cause the glass to dig in deeper or cut her more. I called a friend to help and then I called my pediatrician to guide me through what to do next (which, btw, is to PAT their face with a wet cloth gently, then get them in the shower and put water in their hair flowing away from their face. You then use a blow dryer and a fine tooth comb to get even more out.

My daughter was super lucky. That is plain to see from the cuts on her eyelids from the glass that barely missed her actual eye. But so many kids aren't so lucky. So many parents don't think it will happen, or they think they will catch their kids climbing before the dresser falls. But a ten minute fixer-upper job can actually save your child's life, or your pocket book thousands in hospital bills!

From my frantic experience, I can give you the personal advice that it this does happen to you

  • 1. Stay calm
  • 2. If your child is able to move or not pinned or hurt, move to a safe location
  • 3. Call 911 or your pediatrician immediately so you follow the correct procedures.