On April 3, 2012, shortly after dinner, a beautiful, curious two-year-old little girl named Chance was playing around in her house. While running back and forth between bedrooms, she yelled to her mom, "I love you, mama." Her mom, Keisha, replied, "I love you too, Chance." Chance continued to play. She went into her 7-year-old brother's bedroom and began pulling out the drawers to the dresser so she could climb up and reach a TV - a TV that was sitting on top of the wobbly dresser. In an instant, both the TV and dresser fell over, killing Chance. Unfortunately, these tragedies happen more often than you would think. Every three weeks a child dies from a television tipping over. And every 45 minutes, a child is sent to the emergency room due to a TV tip-over.
Many TV tip-overs are a result of TVs that aren't secured.
A curious child can easily pull flat panel TVs with narrow bases off an entertainment center or table. Large and heavy old-style TVs placed on dressers or high furniture can also tip over if children climb the drawers to reach a remote control, piece of candy, video game, or anything else that attracts their attention. According to a 2012 report released by Safe Kids Worldwide and SANUS, three out of four parents don't secure their TV to the wall. Most families are unaware that securing a TV is an important safety measure. Others decide not to mount their TVs because of concerns about damaging the wall or installing the TV incorrectly. We want children to have the freedom to explore and play. That's why injury prevention is so important. With a little common sense and a few precautions, we can create an environment where kids can take chances and have fun and still be safe. You wouldn't bring a baby home from the hospital without a car seat or have your child ride a bike without a helmet. Mounting your TV properly is an equally important part of keeping your kids safe.
How Can You Prevent TV Tip-Overs in Your Home?
Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall to prevent them from toppling off stands. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you have a secure fit. Still unsure if you want to mount your TV? Consider using an anti-tip strap. If you have a large, heavy, old-style cathode ray tube (CRT) TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture. If you no longer use your CRT TV, consider recycling it. To find a location to safely and easily recycle unwanted TVs, go to GreenerGadgets.org.
Check out our comprehensive TV Safety Checklist to see how else you can make your media room child-friendly
Tips for How to Recycle Your TV - Courtesy of Safe Kids. For more information on TV and furniture tip-overs, visit www.safekids.org.
Topics: Home Safety
