How To Furnish A Safe House (NAPSA)—When it comes to the furnishings in your home, safety does not—and should not— have to take a back seat to style. “People should be keenly aware of safety issues when choosing furniture for their families,” says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Furniture Manu- facturers Association (AFMA). To help consumers choose safe products for their homes, AFMA offers the followingtips. * Bunk Beds—Not recommended for children under six. Top bunks should have guard rails on each side, with no more than 15 inches open at each end. Rails should be secure and sturdy (as should the ladder) and extend at least five inches above the top of a properly sized mattress. Allow only one person on a top bunk ata time and don’t allow horse play. Upholstery—Look for the gold UFAC tag ensuring the furniture meets construction criteria outlined by the Upholstered Furniture Action Council. The voluntary UFAC program is credited with contributing to a major reduction in the number of upholstered furniture fires started by smolderingcigarettes. Cribs—Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2% inches apart and none should be loose or missing. Make sure all screws, brackets and other hardware on the crib are properly installed. The mattress should fit snugly, with no more than two fingers-width between the edge of the mattress and the crib. Bunk bedsare a great choice for children oversix if safety tips are followed. * Dressers and chests of drawers—Drawers should slide in and out easily. Check for automatic drawer stops that prevent the drawer from falling out. Open only one drawer at a time and never let children stand in open drawers. * Bookcases—Donot overload shelves. Consider securing the top portion of the unit to the wall to prevent tip-over, especially if there are children in the home. Entertainment centers and TV stands—Help prevent possible tip-over by using the correct size and style furniture to house yourtelevision. Storage and toy chests— Be sure lids are equipped with safety latches that prevent them from slamming shut. Lids should not lock automatically. Reclining chairs—Voluntary industry guidelines have made today’s reclining chairs safer, but children should never be allowed to play or climb on the chairs—particularly when a chair is in the reclined position.
