Did you know?
- There has been a 31 percent increase in TV tip-over related injuries over the past 10 years.
- Seven out of 10 children injured by TV tip-overs are five or younger.
- A 36-inch television falling three feet creates the same momentum as a one-year-old child falling 10 stories.
- Approximately $8.3 million is spent each year in medical costs to treat children ages 19 and under in emergency rooms from TV tip-over injuries.
- Every two weeks a child dies when a television, a piece of furniture or an appliance falls on him or her.
Children like to climb on furniture. For them, the home is a playground. As you childproof, you may not be aware that unsecured TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. Here are some simple, low-cost steps you can take to stay safe and save lives.
To prevent a tip-over tragedy:
- Check TVs
- Assess the stability of the TVs in your home.
- Secure TVs
- Place all televisions on a sturdy, low base and push the TVs as far back as possible, particularly when anchoring them is not possible.
- Mount flat screen TVs to the wall to reduce the risk of TVs toppling off stands. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you protect your wall and have a secure fit.
- If you have a heavier, box-style TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture that is appropriate for the TV's size and weight.
Recycle Old TVs
- If you no longer use your CRT TV, consider recycling it. To find a location to safely and easily recycle unwanted TVs, consult the Consumer Technology Association.
Secure Furniture
- Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.
- Install stops on dresser drawers to prevent them from being pulled all the way out. Multiple open drawers can cause the weight to shift, making it easier for a dresser to fall.
Rearrange Household Items
- Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
- Avoid placing remote controls, food, toys or other items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.