The toddler, three-year-old Blake Shaw, was killed in his family home in the tiny community of Clear Lake after the free-standing bookcase collapsed without warning.

The boy's grandmother, Dianne Shaw, told News Corp she and her grandson had a "beautiful day" at the beach prior to the accident.

"He called me 'grandma' for the first time," she said.

"We are devastated, just devastated. He was our baby."

It is understood the boy was not playing or touching the bookcase when it collapsed. 

Emergency services were called to the home but were unable to revive the three-year-old.

Jason Chambers, general manager of Kidsafe Victoria, said while some accidents cannot be prevented, there are things parents can do around their home to minimise the risk of furniture falling on children. 

"With furniture with shelves, place heavier items on the lower shelves," he said. 

"That sometimes helps make the furniture more stable. The biggest thing parents and carers can do is secure furniture to the wall with brackets or anchors."

Mr Chambers recommends checking the stability of not only new furniture, but existing items around the house.

This is because a cabinet might stand differently on carpet than on floorboards when moved from one part of the house to the other. 

"It's always good to be continually checking," he said.

Ambulance Victoria declined to comment.

– with The Age