Posted on Jan 07, 2013

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued an important statement encouraging parents and caregivers of young children to anchor or stabilize their televisions, appliances and furniture in an effort to prevent tip-over accidents.  Young children often climb dressers or TV stands in search of toys, remotes or game controllers, leading to disastrous outcomes.

According to CPSC data, 349 people (84 percent were younger than age 9) were killed between 2000 and 2011 as a result of TVs, appliances and furniture toppling over.  The year 2011 saw 41 deaths from tip-overs, the highest one-year total recorded.  In addition, the CPSC estimates that more than 43,000 consumers are injured each year from tip-over accidents.  Children often sustain severe head injuries and other bodily injuries when they are struck in the head or crushed by heavy objects such as TVs or dressers falling on them.

To help prevent tip-over accidents, the CPSC recommends the following safety measures:

  • Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor.
  • Place TVs on sturdy, low bases, or anchor the furniture and the TV on top the base, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
  • Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off of TV stands or furniture.
  • Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
  • Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
  • Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.

 

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