An anti-tipping device is a simple safety device that attaches to the floor or wall behind a free-standing oven, securing the oven to the floor and preventing it from tipping over if there is something heavy on the open door or on an oven rack that has been slid out of the oven.
Here are some scenarios that the anti-tipping device is designed to prevent.
- Suppose a child wants to get into the cabinet above the oven and decides the use to oven door as a “step stool.” You can imagine what the result can be if the oven tips over – landing on the child.
- Maybe a child smells something cooking on the stovetop, and wants to take a look, or help mom by stirring whatever is cooking. The oven door makes a good step stool to get a better look at what’s cooking on the stovetop. That oven only needs to tip a little bit for that hot pan or pot to slide off or spill its hot contents on the child.
- Let’s suppose that you’re cooking a large, heavy meal in the oven – perhaps a large brisket or a Thanksgiving turkey. When you pull the rack out that holds that heavy load, the oven tilts forward causing hot grease to spill all over your legs.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 39 deaths and 84 injuries occurred between about 1980 and 2008. Most of those deaths were of children between the ages of one and five years old. (https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Free-Standing-Kitchen-Ranges)
Each of these very unfortunate incidents could have easily been prevented by a $10 device which could have been installed in about 15 minutes.
The photo shows an example of an anti-tipping device. The device is either screwed onto the flow or into the baseboard. Then the oven is slid into place, and one of the legs of the oven slides into the large slot in the middle of the device.
An anti-tip device should be able to hold the oven or range stable when something as heavy as 250 pounds is sitting on the door or on a rack that has been pulled out.
An anti-tipping device should be included with every oven that is sold. Do not neglect to install this important device when installing a new oven.
How to check for an anti-tipping device
It is simple to check for an anti-tipping device.
Method 1
Slide the oven away from the wall six to eight inches and use a flashlight to look behind the oven at the floor. Look for a device similar to the device shown above. If you don’t see one, then you should definitely install one.
If you do have one, make sure the leg of oven properly engages with the anti-tipping device when you slide the oven back into place. Attempt to tilt the oven forward after putting it back in place to ensure that the leg has properly lined up and engaged with the device.
Method 2
Make sure the oven is turned off and ensure that there is nothing on the cooktop or in the oven that could fall if the oven tips. Now simply grab the upper, back part of the oven (where the controls normally are located) and gently attempt to tilt it forward. You may need to put your foot against the bottom of the oven to keep it from sliding out as you try to tilt it.
If you are able to pull the top of the oven forward two or three inches, then there is no anti-tipping device.
Installing an anti-tip device is very simple. They all come with a template that shows you exactly where to drill your holes in the wall or floor. Then you attach the device with a couple of screws, slide the oven in place, and you’re done.
Anti-tipping devices are designed to protect both adults and children. They are very simple to install, but very critical for the safety of everyone in your home.
Don’t wait another day to make sure that your home is equipped with an anti-tipping device.
© 2021 Mike Morgan
This article was written by Mike Morgan, the owner of Morgan Inspection Services. Morgan Inspection Services has been providing home, septic and well inspection services throughout the central Texas area since 2002. He can be reached at 325-998-4663 or at mike@morganinspectionservices.com. No article, or portion thereof, may be reproduced or copied without prior written consent of Mike Morgan.
