By MARY BETH BRECKENRIDGE Akron Beacon Journal
For a place that’s supposed to be our safe

harbor, home can be a dangerous place.

Smart furniture choices and precautions can reduce the likelihood of accidents. Here are some tips from the American Home Furnishings Alliance:

• When buying tall pieces, look for furniture that meets the tip-over standards of either ASTM International or Underwriters Laboratories.

• Anchor potentially unstable furniture to the wall.

• Follow manufacturers’ guidelines when selecting furniture to house televisions.

• Look for the gold UFAC tag on upholstered furniture to ensure it meets the Upholstered Furniture Action Council’s fire-resistance criteria. Keep candles far away from upholstered furniture and draperies.

• Don’t let children play or climb on recliners, particularly when the chair is open.

• Bunk beds are not recommended for children younger than 6 years. The top bunk should have secure, sturdy guardrails on each side, with no more than 15 inches open at each end. Rails should extend at least 5 inches above the top of the mattress, which should be the size stated by the manufacturer.

• Remind children to always use a sturdy ladder to reach the top bunk, and allow only one person on the top bunk at a time. Prohibit horseplay.

• To prevent strangulation, don’t attach any item, including hooks, belts and jump ropes, to any part of the bunk bed.

• Look for dressers with automatic drawer stops. Don’t open more than one drawer at a time, and never allow children to sit or stand in open drawers.

• Be sure lids on blanket chests, toy chests and other storage pieces have safety latches to prevent the top from falling freely or slamming shut. Lids should not lock automatically.