Dresser Tip-Over Rules and Anchoring at Home

Dressers, chests and other clothing storage units can tip forward when a child pulls out drawers or climbs them. Federal law now sets a mandatory stability standard for these units in the United States, and it helps to know what it covers before you shop. Even a unit that meets the standard should be anchored to the wall at home. This guide explains the rule, how to check a product, and how to anchor furniture properly.

What the federal rule requires

The Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act, known as the STURDY Act, required the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adopt a mandatory safety standard for clothing storage units. The CPSC did so in a rule at 16 CFR 1261, which adopts the voluntary standard ASTM F2057-23. Clothing storage units manufactured after September 1, 2023 must meet it.¹²

The standard uses stability tests that simulate the weight of a child of up to 60 pounds, so a compliant unit is expected to resist tipping under the kind of force a young child climbing or pulling on drawers might apply. The tests consider conditions found in homes, such as drawers that are open and loaded, and carpeting under the unit. The details of the test methods are in the Federal Register notice listed below.²

Which furniture it covers

The CPSC's own frequently asked questions set out the scope. The rule applies to free-standing clothing storage units that are 27 inches or taller, weigh 30 pounds or more, and have at least 3.2 cubic feet of enclosed storage.³ That includes most dressers, chests of drawers, armoires and wardrobes, and some door chests and similar pieces intended for clothing.

Some furniture is excluded, such as bookcases, entertainment furniture and office furniture, according to the same FAQ.³ Excluded pieces can still tip over. A tall bookcase or television stand needs anchoring just as much as a dresser; the rule simply does not set a federal stability test for it. If you are unsure whether a piece is covered, read the CPSC FAQ, which explains the categories in more detail.

How to check a product before you buy

Look for a label on the unit or its packaging stating that it complies with the federal stability standard, and check the date of manufacture. A unit made before September 1, 2023 may still be on a showroom floor, in an outlet or for sale second-hand, and it may not have been tested to the new requirements. Ask the salesperson whether the specific piece you are buying meets the standard and whether it comes with a tip restraint kit. If the answer is unclear, ask for the manufacturer's compliance information in writing.

Before you buy a used dresser, or if you already own one, search the CPSC's recall listings for the brand and model. A recalled unit may be eligible for a repair kit, a refund or a replacement, depending on the recall terms. The used furniture guide explains how to check a second-hand piece more generally.

How to anchor a dresser at home

Anchor every dresser, chest, bookcase and television stand that a child could reach, whether or not it meets the standard. Most new units include a tip restraint, typically a strap or bracket that fastens to the back of the furniture and to the wall. Read the instructions that come with the kit and the furniture, since the right method depends on the furniture design and on your wall.

The strongest connection goes into a wall stud. Use a stud finder to locate one behind where the unit will stand, and use fasteners suited to the wall. In drywall without a stud, use anchors rated for the load. In masonry or plaster walls, use the fixings the kit maker recommends or ask a hardware store or a handyman. If you rent, check your lease and talk to your landlord; many landlords permit anchoring because of the safety risk, and a small screw hole is easy to fill when you move out.

Everyday habits that reduce the risk

Put heavier items in the lowest drawers. Do not place a television on top of a dresser that was not designed to hold one. Keep toys and tempting items off the top of furniture so children are not encouraged to climb. Install drawer interlocks if the unit has them, since they prevent more than one drawer opening at a time. Teach older children not to climb furniture, and supervise younger ones; no restraint replaces attention.

When you move house, take the restraint hardware with you or buy a new kit, and reinstall it before the room is used. A unit that was safe in one home can be unstable on a different floor, especially on thick carpet.

What this guide does not cover

This page explains the general federal rule and good practice. It does not certify any product, and it does not replace the instructions that come with your furniture or the CPSC's own guidance. Rules and recalls change, so check the sources below and the date at the top of this page.