IKEA recalls SUNDVIK changing table/chest for repair of safety lock fittings after 3 babies fell off

Calling the attention of all parents who have IKEA’s SUNDVIK baby changing table-cum-chest: check the safety locking fittings. If you have accidentally misplaced or lost the fittings, IKEA is inviting you to receive new fittings, free of charge. This is part of IKEA’s latest announcement, “IKEA announces a Recall for repair service action of SUNDVIK changing table/chest, due to fall risk”, which was released on Tuesday, April 30, after receiving reports of three children falling off the table.

The Swedish furniture giant posted urgent status updates on their Facebook pages, encouraging all IKEA users who have bought the SUNDVIK changing table/chest to properly secure the safety locks on the piece of furniture when converting it into a changing table.

According to IKEA, they received three reports of incidents “where the foldable part of the SUNDVIK changing table/chest had come loose and children have fallen off the changing table”. IKEA also mentioned that, to their knowledge, the children affected are doing fine.

“In the incidents, the safety locking fittings were not used according to instruction,” said the post.

IKEA Singapore’s post, which we have pasted below, said that so far, no known incidents of babies falling off the table have been reported in Singapore.

IKEA is urging customers to use their products properly and for the purposes intended. According to IKEA, some users of the SUNDVIK changing table/chest use the product for changing their babies’ diapers “on a daily basis and don’t use the safety locking fittings, according to instructions”.

Skipping important steps such as correctly setting up the safety locking fittings on the changing table/chest is a big no-no and can cause accidents. IKEA also reminded customers that the product’s intended use is “for changing diapers on small children. Its second life is as storage furniture.”

The assembly instructions for the SUNDVIK changing table/chest clearly show that there are two safety locking fittings that come with each piece of furniture.

Customers who transform the chest into a changing table must first attach the safety locking fittings in the proper manner. The safety locking fittings must not be thrown away and must always be used when changing babies’ diapers.

Once parents or guardians are finished using the product as a changing table, it can be converted back into a chest. The safety locking fittings must be removed and re-attached once the furniture is transformed.

“Safe products are always an IKEA priority and we are truly sorry to hear about the incidents but grateful that, to our knowledge, the children are fine. IKEA has now taken precautionary actions and will further improve the product communication”, noted Children’s Business Area Manager Emelie Knoester.

As a precautionary measure against any further incidents, IKEA has announced a recall for repair service action. Customers who own a SUNDVIK changing table/chest should immediately check the safety locking fittings to make sure that they are not missing and that they are working properly.

Those who have faulty safety locking fittings or who have misplaced the parts have been invited by IKEA to receive new fittings, free of charge. Customers are not required to present receipts or proofs of purchase to receive the new fittings and should contact the IKEA Customer Contact Centre at +65 6786 6868.

IKEA has apologised for the incidents, stating that “the product is safe when used as intended and according to instructions provided”. /TISG