Anchoring dressers and TVs so they can't tip
Why tall furniture and TVs should be anchored in homes with kids, how anti-tip kits work, and how to anchor into block, plaster and drywall.
Dressers, bookcases and TV stands can tip forward when a child pulls on a drawer or tries to climb. It happens fast, and it's one of the easiest home safety fixes there is. Most new dressers come with an anti-tip kit for exactly this reason.
What to anchor
- Dressers and chests of drawers
- Bookcases and tall shelving
- TV stands, and TVs sitting on them
- Wardrobes and armoires
How anti-tip kits work
Most kits use a strap or bracket attached to the back of the furniture and screwed into the wall. The key is what the screw goes into. In drywall, the strap should go into a stud, not just a drywall anchor. In Jacksonville's concrete block walls, you need masonry anchors. In older plaster homes, you need a slow drill and the right anchor so the plaster doesn't crack.
Renters
Most landlords are fine with a couple of small screw holes for safety straps, and they're easy to patch when you move out. Ask your landlord if you're unsure.
We do it as part of assembly
When we build a dresser or bookcase, we can anchor it to the wall while we're there. If you just need existing furniture anchored, a handyman hour covers several pieces.