Anchor furniture before baby climbs

As your baby begins pulling up and exploring, check tall drawers, shelves, TVs, and tempting objects within reach.

Diagram of a dresser secured to a wall with heavy items low and toys removed from the top

Before a baby begins pulling up or climbing, look for furniture and televisions that could tip if pulled or used as a step. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Anchor It campaign recommends securing top-heavy furniture and TVs according to the maker’s instructions and moving tempting objects off high surfaces. CPSC Anchor It campaign CPSC tip-over safety alert

Key takeaways

Check dressers, bookcases, shelves, televisions, and appliances a child may pull on or climb toward.
Use an appropriate anti-tip device and follow both the furniture and anchor manufacturer’s instructions.
Move toys, remotes, and other tempting items off furniture tops; put heavier items on lower shelves.
If you rent or cannot safely secure an item, keep the child away from that area and ask the property owner or a qualified installer about a safe option.

A room-by-room tip-over check
Bedroom	Look at dressers, wardrobes, bookshelves, and TVs; check for an installed and secure anti-tip anchor.
Living area	Use a stable TV base or an approved mount; keep remote controls and toys off high surfaces.
Kitchen and utility	Check freestanding appliances and follow their manufacturer’s anti-tip instructions.
Rental or shared home	Ask who can approve an anchor installation; supervise and block access until the setup is secure.

Do one calm walk-through

Get down near your child’s height and look for drawers, shelves, handles, cords, and objects that could invite a pull or climb.
Check whether tall or top-heavy furniture and TVs are secured with an approved device installed as directed.
Move heavy items lower and tempting objects off the top of furniture.
For rental walls, unusual furniture, or unclear hardware, ask the maker, property owner, or qualified installer before drilling or improvising.

What to observe

Notice when your child pulls to stand, which furniture they approach, whether drawers are opened, and which rooms are shared with visitors. The child’s new reach can change what needs checking without implying anything about development speed.

A useful note to keep

Keep a short home-safety list with each item, whether its anchor is installed, and who will handle the next step. Recheck after moving furniture, changing rooms, or bringing home a new television or shelf.

A question for a clinician

“Could my child’s movement or health needs change how we should arrange and supervise this play space?”

Limits of this guide

The detailed Anchor It material is U.S. CPSC guidance; hardware, wall construction, and rental rules differ. Follow local building requirements and the instructions for the actual furniture and anchor. This walkthrough cannot certify a room. Tracking is not diagnosis; ask a qualified clinician about an individual development concern.

For more context, read these related Emomo guides: safe climbing play at home set up a safe baby play space browse all Emomo family guides