Pure Parents

Question:

AG>We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a AG>toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I AG>would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh AG>down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two AG>shelves? That will do nothing for the top of it and it could still topple over. If you are completly against securing the top to the wall then can something be put in front of it making it impossible to fall over?

Response:

> > We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a > toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I > would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh > down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two > shelves?

I also think it has to be attached to the wall.  We did it by screwing angle  irons into the top of the bookcase and the wall studs, but someone I once worked for used the hook and eye gate latches with the spring fastener, to make it easier to move the bookcase when nessesary.   Margo

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Blair, We also have a number of tall, narrow and potentially harmful pieces of furniture.  After trying the "weighting down" technique, which almost resulted in our daughter nearly being crushed, we decided to attach the bookcases to the wall.  It really was one of the only safe options we could think of and it solved the problem. Pip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a > toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I > would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh > down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two > shelves?

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> We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a > toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I > would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  

I stongly suggest screwing the shelves to the walls–that’s what we did using two L-shaped brass brackets on either edge of the top. We have several free-standing bookcases–one with open sides that look like a ladder–which he’s been known to climb. We’re also in earthquake country, so we have another reason for screwing the bookcases to the wall.  But if you saw "Howard’s End" (the English film), a key character (an adult) is killed by a toppling tall bookcase–that sealed the deal for me–and I saw the film years ago, pre-baby… >Is it sufficient to "weigh > down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two > shelves?

*** NO–time for a trip to Home Depot!  **** Teresa

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We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two shelves?

Response:

> We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a > toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I > would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh > down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two > shelves?

Blair, I think the only way to surely childproof it would be to move it to a locked room, with the kid on the outside of the locked door! I’m no engineer, but I would heartily recommend you tie the thing to a wall. Heavy weight right at the bottom won’t make it much more difficult to tip, and would add to the load on your child if it were to tip. Kids have been killed by bookcases, toolchests and dressers toppling on them. If it were me, I would certainly find a way to secure it. Hope this helps! Good Luck with the Parenting thing. . . Greg Lubianetzky Father to Teri, 7 years and Tom, 10 months

Response:

> We have a tall, narrow bookshelf that I am afraid will topple if a > toddler pulls himself up on it.  Any suggestions for childproofing?  I > would prefer not to attach it to the wall.  Is it sufficient to "weigh > down" the bookshelf with many large books and items on the bottom two > shelves?

Here in San Francisco, EVERYthing that could topple over is bolted to the wall.  We had a dresser that I knew could never fall over, even in the worst earthquake, so we didn’t bolt it.  It was very heavy.  I don’t know how he did it, but my oldest boy pulled it over on himself when he was learning to stand up.  The ONLY thing that saved him from being crushed, is that I’m such a bad housekeeper that the bulk of the dresser’s weight landed on a pile of pillows I had meant to put away. Even if you’re renting your place, you can fill in the holes from the bolting pretty easily with caulk after you move.  We use an "L" shaped piece of hardware on each dresser or bookcase.  Attach one part to the wall and the other to the top of the piece of furniture.  Do it as soon as you can.

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