But that's not true of modern ranges. For about 20 years, every new range has been shipped with an anti-tip bracket. It's a small fork-shaped piece of metal that attaches to the floor or wall behind the range. One of the back feet of the range slides into the fork and the bracket prevents the range from tipping forward.
The purpose of the bracket is to prevent injury. If you yank your Thanksgiving turkey out of the oven and drop it on the door, the stove-top skillet full of boiling gravy won't spill. If your four year old opens the oven door and climbs up to reach the cookie jar on the counter, the range won't turn over on him.
If you have a free-standing kitchen range, it should have an anti-tip bracket installed. I inspect these every day, and only about twenty percent of ranges have an installed bracket. I don't know why contractors leave them off.
So, does your range have an anti-tip bracket? There are two ways to check. The first way only works for electric ranges. If you have an electric range, bring a flashlight and pull the bottom drawer completely out. Shine the flashlight under the stove and you should be able to see the back feet, one of which should slide into a bracket. While you're looking, vacuum out all the dessicated pasta, pizza crusts, and dust.
Even if you see a bracket using the first method, you should still perform the second method below to make sure the bracket is installed properly.
The second method works for both gas and electric ranges. Remove any knicknacks, pots, kettles, etc., from the stove top. Grasp the back of the range and try to tilt it towards you. If it tilts more than an inch, the bracket is missing or not properly attached.
If your bracket is missing or not working, it is very important to repair or replace it. It's an easy job for a competent handy person.
Range manufacturers are so concerned about tipping ranges that some of them will send you a bracket at no charge, all you have to do is ask. Search on "anti tip bracket" for more information.
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