If you have a little one who loves to read, you have probably watched them grab at books on a shelf or even try to climb the bookshelf itself to reach a favorite story. That curiosity is wonderful, but it comes with a sobering reality: a tall, unsecured bookshelf can tip forward with surprising force and seriously injure a child. In fact, furniture tip-overs send thousands of kids to the emergency room every year in the United States. The good news is that anchoring a bookshelf to the wall is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective DIY safety projects you can do for your home. You do not need to be a carpenter or own a workshop full of fancy tools. With a little time and the right hardware, you can make your child’s reading nook as safe as it is cozy.

Let’s start with what you will need. Most bookshelves come with small L-shaped brackets or plastic straps designed for anchoring. If yours did not, or if you lost them, do not worry. You can buy a basic furniture anchor kit at any hardware store or online for under ten dollars. These kits typically include metal brackets, screws, and wall anchors. You will also need a drill or a screwdriver, a pencil, a level (or just a steady eye), and a stud finder if you plan to screw into a wall stud. For drywall without a stud behind it, you will need drywall anchors strong enough to hold the weight of a fully loaded shelf. Molly bolts or toggle bolts work well.

Before you start, take a good look at your bookshelf. Is it tall and narrow, like a typical bookcase? If so, the tipping risk is highest. Even a short, wide shelf can be dangerous if a child climbs onto it. The general rule is this: if the shelf is more than thirty inches tall, or if it weighs less than your child, it should be anchored. Most bookshelves sold today come with a warning label and anchor hardware, but many parents toss those parts aside or never get around to installing them. Do not let that be you. The installation itself takes less than thirty minutes.

Begin by emptying the bookshelf completely. A full shelf is heavy and hard to move, plus you want a clear view of the back panel and the wall. Slide the shelf away from the wall just a few inches. Place the L-shaped bracket or anchor strap against the inside of the top back edge of the bookshelf. Mark the screw holes on the bookshelf with your pencil. Then, using a drill bit slightly smaller than your screws, pre-drill pilot holes so the wood does not split. Screw the bracket firmly into the bookshelf. Repeat this for the second bracket if you purchased a kit with two. Now comes the wall side. Push the bookshelf back into its intended position, making sure it sits flush against the wall. Use your pencil to mark exactly where the other half of the bracket should go on the wall. If you have a stud behind that spot, great. Screw directly into the wood stud using a drill and a long screw. If there is no stud, you will need to use a drywall anchor. Insert the anchor into the wall, tap it gently with a hammer until it is flush, then screw into the anchor. Finally, attach the two halves of the bracket together. Many kits use a simple snap or screw connection. Give the shelf a firm tug to test that it is secure. If it wobbles, check your hardware and try again.

That is basically all there is to it. But while you are at it, consider a few extra touches to make the bookshelf even safer for your kids. Place heavier books on the bottom shelves to lower the center of gravity. Avoid putting tempting toys or electronics on the top shelf that might encourage climbing. If your child is very young, you might also want to round off any sharp corners with corner protectors. And remember that anchoring is not a one-time job. Over time, screws can loosen, especially if the shelf gets bumped. Make it a habit to check the anchors every few months, especially after a big earthquake or after moving furniture around.

You might wonder if all this effort is really necessary. After all, your child is careful, and you are always watching. But accidents happen in seconds. A toddler pulling up on a shelf to reach a teddy bear, a preschooler leaning too hard while grabbing a heavy book—these everyday actions can turn a bookshelf into a falling hazard. Anchoring takes that risk off the table completely. It also protects your furniture from damage and gives you peace of mind. Plus, once you have anchored one shelf, you will realize how easy it is. You can do the same for dressers, TV stands, and any other tall furniture in your home.

So grab that drill, find those brackets, and spend a half hour this weekend making your child’s bookshelf as safe as it is full of stories. Your kids will never know you did it, but you will sleep a little easier knowing that their reading corner is secure. And when they finally climb up to pull out that book on the top shelf, you can be confident that the only thing coming down is a good story.