Securing your bookshelf to the wall is an important safety step, especially when there are children in the home or if you live in an earthquake-prone area.
To secure your bookcase, first find a wall stud to serve as your anchor point. Mark a spot on the wall where the stud is at the height of the top of your bookcase.
For a wooden bookshelf, you’ll want to secure a brace to the thicker solid top of the shelf rather than the back which is typically thinner. For a metal bookshelf with open sides, you’ll still want to secure the shelf near the top, but you’ll need to use a metal or heavy-duty plastic strap looped around the frame and then attached to a bracket. Once the bracket is attached to the shelf, drill it into the wall.
Many of my bookcases come with an anti-tip kit, or you can purchase one separately at any hardware store.