Is your child’s bedroom safe? Mother’s warning after her toddler tragically died when a wardrobe suddenly collapsed on top of him
- Perth mother has won her bid to introduce a 'toppling furniture' bill to parliament
- Skye Quartermaine lost her toddler Reef Kite when he was crushed by wardrobe
- The bill would allow tenants to bolt their wardrobes to the wall to ensure safety
A grieving mother has won her bid to introduce a 'toppling furniture' bill to parliament following the tragic death of her toddler who was crushed by a wardrobe.
Skye Quartermaine lost her 21-month-year-old son, Reef Kite, when he was tragically pinned underneath a wooden chest of drawers in Perth in 2015.
Ms Quartermaine has used the past three years to push for legislative change in the hope no child has to suffer like her son did.
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Skye Quartermaine (pictured, right) has won her bid to introduce a 'toppling furniture' bill to parliament following the tragic death of her toddler (pictured, left) who was crushed by a wardrobe
Ms Quartermaine has used the past three years to push for legislative change in the hope no child has to suffer like her son, Reef Kite (pictured), did
On Sunday, Acting Commerce Minister Fran Logan announced the 'toppling furniture' bill would go before Western Australian parliament sometime during the week, with Ms Quartermaine by his side.
'This is just a really big win for us,' Ms Quartermaine told 9NEWS.
The bill will allow tenants to affix furniture to walls, preventing them from toppling over.
A landlord would only be allowed to refuse the request if there is asbestos in the house or if the property is heritage listed.
'The small damage it might make to a landlord's home is a very very little price to pay in order to protect a child's life,' said Acting Minister Logan.
Ms Quartermaine moved into the Yokine home two-months before Reef died from asphyxia caused by 'crush injuries' after the 1.25 metre wooden chest fell on him.
Ms Quartermaine moved into the Yokine home two-months before Reef died from asphyxia caused by 'crush injuries' after the 1.25 metre wooden chest fell on him
On Sunday, Acting Commerce Minister Fran Logan announced the 'toppling furniture' bill would go before Western Australian parliament sometime during the week
The incident occurred after the landlord refused Ms Quartermaine's request to bolt the wardrobe to the wall.
'It absolutely baffles me because I put in property value over a child's life and I don't want any other parent to be in the situation I am in,' Ms Quartermaine said on Sunday.
Video footage captured by police the day after Reef was killed shows how easily the wardrobe could topple over.
Acting Minister Logan said furniture is a key child safety issue as 22 Australian children under the age of nine have died from toppling furniture since 2001.
'It absolutely baffles me because I put in property value over a child's life and I don't want any other parent to be in the situation I am in,' Ms Quartermaine said on Sunday.
'Anchoring furniture can save a child's life,' he said.
'Some of these changes are long overdue so I'm pleased the McGowan Government will be able to introduce them to Parliament this week.
'The bill amends outdated penalties in a range of Acts and ensures they remain in line with community expectations and continue to provide an effective deterrent.'
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