It Only Takes a Second: Anchor Furniture and Televisions to Avoid Tragedy

Every parent, guardian, or caregiver of small children knows that it is impossible to follow around a busy toddler every moment of the day.  A moment’s distraction, even for something benign like preparing a snack, is enough time for a young person to get into harm’s way. And since constant vigilance will never be enough, preparation and safety planning are essential.

One of the most overlooked aspects of child safety relates to the tipping hazards of furniture and televisions. The dangers of crushing and suffocation injuries from tip-over incidents received some attention earlier this year when Ikea paid a $46 million settlement to the family of a toddler who was killed when a dresser fell on the child. The furniture company has since launched an advertising campaign that has brought some awareness to the issue. Still, many families either do not appreciate the risk or have not taken the time to safeguard their homes.

According to the CDC, here are some simple steps to reduce the risk of tip-over injuries:

• Use sturdy furniture designed to hold TVs, such as television stands or media centers.
• Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall or furniture to prevent them from falling over.
• Secure TVs even if they are not wall-mounted with an anti-tip device.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure TVs properly.
• Secure top-heavy furniture with anti-tip devices, whether it’s old or new.
• Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of TV and furniture.
  • (see https://www.anchorit.gov/how-to-anchor-it/parents-and-caregivers/)

Help avoid tragedy in your home by taking a few moments to ensure furniture and televisions are securely anchored.