The Help Centers

In a tragic circumstance and 8 month old child was killed when a storage rack fell on top of him.  The company is offering a repair kit to purchasers of the storage rack.    While the manufacturer is taking the high road in this situation could more steps have been taken to have prevented this tragedy?Read More Below...

The  manufacturer, Jetmax, is sending free repair kits that add stability to the rack for anyone who purchased the item.  You can get a kit by contacting Jetmax at (800) 689-2168 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT,  or on the web at www.jlwoodenmfg.com.

I’ve seen  and even considered purchasing these racks for my kids.  Throughout my home similar freestanding racks, shelving and cabinets abound.  Some are better designed than others.

Most of these have specific instructions on how to not only assemble but secure these items.  Often once the item is assembled enough to throw books and such into them people put them up but as such are unstable.  That’s why many include a small bracket that is to be fastened into the wall.    It doesn’t hold much weight but it’s enough to prevent most if not all tipping situations.  When I use these kinds of things I also put a little bit of cardboard in the front of the shelf to make it tip backwards towards the wall a little helping stabilize it even more.  In carpeted rooms there is often a tack strip under the edge of the carpet that can increase the risk of tipping.  take mind of this and prop up the shelf a bit more and it makes it even safer.

While we can’t prevent ALL accidents and recalls can help increase safety. Manufacturers SHOULD provide the instructions and materials for using their products safely a parent, using common sense and a bit of engineering, can make their home a bit safer and save a lot of heartache.