Save A Life By Anchoring And Stabilizing Your TV, Furniture, And Appliances

One child dies every two weeks as a result of an appliance, a piece of furniture, or a TV falling on them. In an effort to prevent tip-over related accidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is encouraging parents to anchor and stabilize their furniture, appliances and TVs. When children decide to scale one of these items in search of a remote or game, the consequences are often tragic.

Between 2000 and 2011, 349 people were killed as a result of a TV, appliance, or furniture items overturning. Of that number, 84 percent were kids younger than 9 years old. Forty-five percent of accidents occur in the bedroom. It's believed that as families integrate flat screen televisions into their living rooms, the older, much heavier TV is moved into the bedroom. Often times we place our TVs on items, such as dressers, that aren't meant to hold a television. This is when disaster happens.

Even our ultra thin televisions can weigh as much as 50 to 100 pounds, which is no match for a small child. Kids that are involved in these types of accidents often sustain severe head injuries and other injuries resulting from being trapped or crushed by the item falling on them.

To help prevent tip-over tragedies, CPSC recommends the following safety measures in homes where children live or visit:

• 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.

Stay safe and have a happy New Year from Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton.