Furniture tip-overs are a serious and surprisingly common hazard for young children in New Zealand homes. Bookshelves, chest of drawers, wardrobes, and TV units can all topple if a child climbs or pulls on them — often with little warning. The good news is that securing furniture to the wall is a straightforward DIY job that most homeowners can tackle in an afternoon with basic tools.
Why Furniture Tip-Overs Are So Dangerous
Children under five are naturally curious climbers. A chest of drawers with open drawers becomes a ladder; a tall bookshelf becomes a challenge. Heavy furniture falling on a small child can cause serious injury or worse. WorkSafe NZ and Plunket both highlight furniture tip-overs as a preventable home hazard. Anchoring furniture is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to make your home safer for tamariki.
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather your tools and materials:
- Anti-tip furniture straps (also called furniture anchors or safety straps)
- Stud finder
- Drill and drill bits
- Screwdriver (or drill driver)
- Spirit level
- Pencil
- Wall plugs/anchors (if fixing into plasterboard between studs)
- Appropriate screws (supplied with straps, or buy separately)
Anti-tip straps are widely available at Bunnings and Mitre 10. As a rough guide, basic strap kits start from around $10–$25 per pack, though prices vary by brand and quantity.
Understanding Your Wall Type
Knowing what your walls are made of is critical — it determines how you fix into them safely.
| Wall Type | How to Identify | Best Fixing Method |
|---|---|---|
| Timber framing + GIB plasterboard | Most NZ homes built post-1960s | Screw into timber studs (strongest) |
| Solid concrete or brick | Older homes, garages | Masonry anchors + masonry drill bit |
| Lightweight steel framing | Some modern builds | Specialist toggle bolts or into studs |
| Plasterboard only (no stud) | Hollow sound when tapped | Heavy-duty plasterboard anchors — less ideal for heavy furniture |
Always aim to fix into a wall stud where possible. Studs in NZ timber-framed homes are typically spaced at 400 mm or 600 mm centres. Use a stud finder or the "tap and screw" method to locate them. GIB has useful guidance on plasterboard wall construction if you're unsure what you're working with.
Step-by-Step: How to Anchor Furniture to the Wall
1. Position the furniture first
Place the furniture exactly where you want it and check it's level. Make sure it's away from windows and not blocking emergency exits.
2. Locate the wall studs
Use a stud finder and mark stud positions lightly with a pencil. Double-check by drilling a small pilot hole if you're unsure.
3. Attach the strap to the furniture
Most anti-tip kits include two brackets — one for the furniture and one for the wall. Fix the furniture bracket to the top rear of the unit using the supplied screws. Make sure you're screwing into solid timber within the furniture frame, not just the back panel.
4. Fix the wall bracket
Hold the wall bracket against the wall at the correct height (the strap should be taut but not pulling the furniture away from the wall). Mark your screw positions, drill pilot holes, and drive screws firmly into the stud. If you can't align with a stud, use heavy-duty plasterboard anchors rated for the weight of your furniture — but be aware this is a less secure option for very heavy pieces.
5. Connect the strap and test
Attach the strap between the two brackets and tighten. Give the furniture a firm push and pull to test the connection. It should feel solid with no movement.
6. Repeat for each piece of furniture
Secure all tall or heavy items: bookshelves, wardrobes, chest of drawers, TV units, filing cabinets, and freestanding shelving.
Other Childproofing Measures to Consider
- Drawer stops: Fit drawer stops so drawers can't be pulled fully out and used as steps.
- Corner and edge guards: Foam or rubber guards on sharp furniture corners reduce injury from bumps.
- TV anchoring: Flat-screen TVs should be wall-mounted or secured with a dedicated TV anti-tip strap — a falling TV is extremely dangerous.
- Fridge and appliance straps: In earthquake-prone NZ, securing large appliances is doubly important. BRANZ provides research and guidance on home safety and earthquake preparedness.
- Cabinet locks: Fit child-resistant locks to lower kitchen and bathroom cabinets containing chemicals or sharp items.
Rental Properties and Healthy Homes
If you're a landlord or tenant, it's worth knowing that making minor safety improvements like furniture anchoring is generally considered reasonable. Always check your tenancy agreement before drilling into walls, and discuss with your landlord if you're a tenant. For broader rental property safety obligations, Tenancy Services has clear guidance on the Healthy Homes Standards and landlord responsibilities.
When to Call a Professional
Most furniture anchoring is well within DIY capability, but consider calling a handyman or builder if:
- You're unsure about your wall construction or can't locate studs confidently
- You need to anchor very heavy furniture (large wardrobes, entertainment units) into masonry or unusual wall types
- You're renting and need the work done without damaging the property
- You want a full childproofing assessment of your home
A qualified local handyman can complete a full furniture-securing job quickly and give you peace of mind. Find trusted tradespeople in your area at tradedirectory.co.nz.
Note: Drilling into walls does not involve restricted electrical or plumbing work — but always check for hidden pipes and cables before drilling. Use a cable/pipe detector (available at hardware stores) especially near kitchens, bathrooms, and around light switches.