Preventing Deaths, Injuries from Furniture and TV Tip-Overs

A new public education campaign from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) aims to protect children from deadly furniture and TV tip-overs.

According to CPSC data, unstable and unsecured TVs and large pieces of furniture kill a child every two weeks, on average, in tip-over incidents in the U.S.

One CPSC report found that a television tipping over from an average size dresser falls with thousands of pounds of force. CPSC said that the impact of this falling TV is like being caught between two NFL linemen colliding at full-speed.

These tragedies are entirely preventable, if the right measures are taken, and CPCS’s new The “Anchor It!” outreach campaign aims to show people how.

The commission has set up a website www.AnchorIt.gov, where people can find out how easy it is to anchor furniture and TVs properly.

This includes advice to:

Buy and install low-cost anchoring devices to prevent TVs, dressers, bookcases or other furniture from tipping.
Avoid leaving items, such as remote controls and toys, in places where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach for them.
Store heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
Place TVs on a sturdy, low base and push them as far back as possible, particularly if anchoring is not possible.
If purchasing a new TV, consider recycling older ones not currently used. If moving the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored properly to the wall.

It’s amazing how doing simple things, can make such a big difference in home safety.