Furniture Chain Urged To Learn Lessons From Safety Issue

By Rob Dixon

Legal experts have welcomed Ikea’s recall of children’s beds found to feature design faults, but urged the manufacturer to ensure an emphasis is placed on safety during the production of products going forward.

The furniture chain has announced it is recalling select batches of the Kritter and Sniglar bed frames, with customers in the UK and 16 other countries being asked to check the date stamp on the items.

Ikea has taken the precautionary measure after seven reported cases of a metal rod breaking and leading to the exposure of sharp edges.

Kritter junior beds numbered 1114 to 1322 are subject to the recall, alongside Sniglar junior beds numbered 1114 to 1318. The company has asked any affected customers to contact their local stores regarding the issue and they will receive either a repair kit or a refund.

David Urpeth, a Partner and expert in product liability issues at Irwin Mitchell, said the recall was a very welcome step but warned more needed to be done to ensure lessons are learned.

He outlined: “The reaction of Ikea to these safety concerns is a positive move which shows a desire to ensure consumer safety comes before anything else. We would urge anyone with products affected by this to follow the instructions provided as soon as possible.

“However, it also remains vital that Ikea carefully examines its manufacturing and supply processes in order to ensure that everything possible is being done to produce and supply products which pose no such safety concern to customers.

“We have seen cases in the past when people have suffered serious injuries as a result of defective products and the issue cannot be underestimated. Consumers put great trust in retailers and manufacturers regarding such items and it is vital that this trust is never undermined.”

If you or a loved one has been injured or fallen ill due to a faulty or defective product, our personal injury claims team could help you claim compensation. View our Product Liability Claims page for more information.