Ikea has recalled 29 million chests and dressers after six children were killed when the furniture toppled on to them

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the units are unstable if they are not secured to a wall.

All of the children killed were aged three or younger. One was killed about 27 years ago, but the other deaths occurred more recently in 2002 and 2016. The CPSC said it received 36 reports of children who were injured.

The recall, which only applies to customers in the US and Canada, is for several types of Ikea chests and dressers.

The Swedish firm, which has a firm in Southampton, said the units under the recall are children's chests and drawers taller than 23.5in and adult units taller than 29.5in.

The recalled units were sold at Ikea stores for years.

Ikea said anyone who owns one of the chests or dressers and has not attached it to a wall should remove it from the reach of children. The firm is offering free kits to attach the units to a wall.

Customers that do not want to keep the recalled furniture can ask for a refund. Ikea said it will give a full refund to owners of recalled chests and dressers made between 2002 and 2016. For recalled units made before 2002, customers can receive a store credit for half the original price.

Ikea US president Lars Petersson said the units were sold with instructions saying that they had to be mounted to walls.

Last year, the company offered free wall-mounting kits to owners of its Malm chests and dressers after reports of child deaths.