IKEA recalls 36 million chests of drawers and dressers after three child deaths

IKEA is recalling almost 36 million chests of drawers and dressers in the US and Canada after the deaths of three children.

The furnishings can topple over if they are not anchored securely to walls, posing a threat to children, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Initially, the Swedish furniture retailer warned customers to use wall mounts with them, but after a third death in February Ikea issued the recall.

The recall covers six models of MALM chests of drawers or dressers manufactured from 2002 to 2016, as well as about 100 other families of chests or dressers, it said.

"It is simply too dangerous to have the recalled furniture in your home unanchored, especially if you have young children," CPSC Chairman Elliott Kaye said in a statement.

Two American toddlers died in separate 2014 incidents when MALM chests fell over on them.

A 22-month-old boy was killed last year in a similar incident, after IKEA had announced a repair program included a free wall-anchoring kit.

None of the furnishings in the fatal incidents had been anchored to the wall.

IKEA also had received reports of 41 tip-over incidents involving non-MALM chests that caused 19 injuries and the deaths of three children from 1989 to 2007.

As part of the recall, IKEA is offering refunds or a free wall-anchoring kit.

The US recall covers about 8 million MALM chests and dressers and 21 million other model chests and dressers.

About 6.6 million are being recalled in Canada.