安全第一：為香港家庭講解「最佳傢俱固定方法」

Safety First: Explaining the "Best Furniture Fixing Methods" for Hong Kong Families

In many Hong Kong homes, living spaces are often cramped, and common furniture such as tall bookcases, wardrobes, and TV cabinets may be placed within a toddler's play area. According to foreign research, approximately 80% of tipping-over accidents caused by unsecured furniture involve children aged 5 or under.
Although official Hong Kong data rarely lists cases of death caused by furniture tipping over, the Hong Kong government's "Home Safety Handbook" does point out that "furniture should be securely fixed" as an important item for preventing accidents involving children.
Below, we will explain in detail from three aspects: "Why fix it", "How to fix it", and "Special attention required for Hong Kong residential properties".

Why fix furniture in place?

  • To prevent furniture from tipping over and injuring or pinching young children : Young children like to climb, pull drawers, and crawl under bookshelves, which may cause furniture to become unbalanced.

  • Furniture and television are a high-risk combination : for example, if a television is placed on top of a wardrobe, a child pulling on the television cord or pressing a button could cause the entire piece of furniture, along with the television, to tip over.

  • Hong Kong's residential environment is unique : high-rise buildings, small spaces, lots of furniture, and furniture placed against walls often results in corners and potentially larger tilting angles. There may also be a tendency to place tall bookshelves to store toys/books, encouraging children to climb.

How to implement "fixed furniture" in Hong Kong households?

The following are the specific steps, and it can be used in conjunction with safety anchor products:

  1. Assess furniture risks

    • Check furniture height: Generally, if the furniture height exceeds 75 cm (60 cm for children's furniture), it is recommended to fix it.

    • Pull the furniture forward a little to see if it wobbles easily. If it wobbles a lot, it means it has poor stability.

    • Consider whether there is a television or heavy objects placed on top: this increases the risk.

  2. Choose appropriate fixing methods and tools

    • Use wall anchors, metal fasteners, screws + expansion bolts, or other methods suitable for Hong Kong walls (concrete, brick, and stucco). IKEA Hong Kong officially recommends selecting different screw types depending on the wall material (solid wall vs. thin partition wall).

    • If you are renting a unit and do not want to drill into the walls, you can consider a no-drill solution (but you must ensure that the load-bearing capacity is reliable).

    • It is recommended to purchase reliable safety anchors, such as:

  1. Installation steps (suitable for Hong Kong families)

    • Determine the fixing point: about 5–10 cm below the top of the furniture, fix it to a load-bearing point in the wall (such as a brick/concrete wall) or use expansion bolts.

    • If the wall is a thin partition wall, special expansion bolts should be used or the mobile safety lock solution should be switched to.

    • Traditional Hong Kong apartment walls may be made of concrete, red brick, or drywall. When installing, be sure to select the appropriate bolts and check whether they are secure.

    • After securing the furniture, pull it forward forcefully to confirm there is no wobbling; you can also let the child gently pull the bottom drawer or climb it for a test (under adult supervision).

    • Place heavy objects on the lower shelf and close the top of the drawer to prevent children from using it as a "stepping stone" to climb.

  2. Maintenance and Inspection

    • Check every 6–12 months for loose fasteners, loose screws, and cracks in the wall.

    • If you move, change furniture, or alter the height or location, redo the fixing.

    • Teach children not to climb furniture or place toys/objects on top to entice them to climb.

  3. Special attention is needed when renting/building old houses.

    • In Hong Kong's rental market, it is common practice to obtain the landlord's consent or choose a "no-drilling" solution when renting a unit.

    • Older buildings may have weak wall load-bearing capacity or bolt fixing effectiveness; it is advisable to have a licensed professional assess the installation process.

    • Furniture in staircases and hallways may also pose a risk to young children, so regular checks are recommended.

Conclusion

Secure furniture may seem like a "small project," but it's crucial for young children's safety. Especially in environments like Hong Kong where furniture is densely packed, spaces are compact, and children's movement is limited, securing furniture early on can prevent many potential injuries. By following the steps to check, choosing the right tools, and installing correctly, your home can be safer and more secure.

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