Anti-tip brackets are safety devices that prevent freestanding stoves from tipping. These devices attach the stove to the wall and are included in every installation kit.
Believe it or not, tipping stoves used to be a big problem. Incidents usually resulted in death or serious injury. A falling stove can easily crush, scald, or burn anyone caught beneath. Of the people killed or injured by tipping stoves, most of those victims were children.
In 1991, regulations were introduced by UL and ANSI requiring anti-tip brackets to be included in every installation kit. In addition, stoves manufactured after that year were required to be capable of supporting 250 pounds on their open doors. These regulations have reduced the number of incidents but have not eliminated them.
To determine if your stove has an anti-tip bracket installed, use a flashlight to look behind the stove. A wall-mounted bracket may be visible depending on the model. On some models, the anti-tip bracket may be more difficult to see. If the anti-tip bracket is not visible, firmly grasp the top of the stove and attempt to tip the unit. If equipped with an anti-tip bracket, the unit will not tip more than several inches before coming to a halt.
If your stove does not have an anti-tip bracket installed, it is recommended that one be installed. Anti-tip brackets can be purchased from hardware stores or the manufacturer. Some manufacturers, like General Electric, will send their customers an anti-tip bracket for free.
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