U.S. House of Representative seal U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz
Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2005		 CONTACT:  Aaron Brand, 202-225-6111
 

Representative Schwartz Works to

Strengthen Furniture Tipover Safety Standards
 
Philadelphia - U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz met with industry representatives to discuss ways to prevent injuries associated with furniture tipover accidents.  Specifically, Schwartz and James Thomas, President of ASTM International, the largest standards development organization in the U.S., reviewed private sector proposals to revise and strengthen the current voluntary furniture safety standards as well as The Katie Elise and Meghan Agnes Act (H.R. 1861), legislation authored by Schwartz that would set federal furniture safety guidelines.   

 

In January 2005, Katie Elise Lambert, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania died when her bedroom wardrobe chest fell on her.  Sadly, the death of Katie Elise Lambert is not an isolated incident.  While it is a relatively unknown safety hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), furniture tipping sends 8,000 to 10,000 people, predominately children, to the emergency room each year.

 

“The death of 3-year old Katie Elise Lambert was a tragedy.  As a parent, I realized that this kind of accident could happen in practically any home in America.  That is why I am working to implement commonsense measures to ensure that no family ever again experiences what the Lamberts did,” said Schwartz.   

 

In April 2005, Representative Schwartz introduced H.R. 1861, which would require that all furniture in jeopardy of tipping bear warning labels and come packaged with anchoring devices so it can be secured to a wall. 

 

Schwartz added, “I am pleased with the steps that ASTM is taking and I look forward to continuing to work with industry to improve the safety of America’s households.  Their efforts coupled with enactment of my legislation would ensure that all parents are adequately informed of the dangers posed by un-secure furniture and have the appropriate tools to protect themselves and their children.”

 

“ASTM International’s standards have and continue to play a preeminent role in reducing injuries and fatalities based on identified hazards in the usage and performance of many consumer and household products.  We share Rep. Schwartz’s goal of addressing the hazards associated with furniture tipover and welcome all interested stakeholders to work with us in our efforts,” concluded ASTM’s Thomas.

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