Personal Injury Law

Tipover Danger Increases with Big Screen TV

As more households acquire or upgrade to big screen televisions, more dangers for children are associated with them.  Although many of these TVs are lightweight, their bases and stands used to hold them frequently are much smaller.  SafeKids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, recommends securing bookcases, shelving, televisions and appliances to walls with brackets and anchors.  

For plasma or LCD TV installation, experts in home childproofing advise:

• Attach it securely to a wall. 
• If using a TV stand, read the instructions to determine what size TV it can safely hold.
• Include specially made safety straps to hold your TV in place on the stand.
• Never put items on top of the TV, especially something a child may try to reach.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)  Instability and Tipover of Appliances, Furniture and Televisions: Estimated and Reported Fatalities, 2008 Report, 42,700 estimated emergency department treated injuries in 2006 were related to appliance, furniture and television tipovers.

CPSC offers the following safety tips to prevent furniture or TV tip-overs:

• "Verify that furniture is stable on its own.
• For added security, attach to the wall or anchor to the floor all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving, and bureaus using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.
• Place the TV on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise base.
• Push the TV as far back as possible.
• Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach kids not to play with them.
• Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote control, from top of the TV and furniture."

Don't allow your child to become the next statistic.  We urge our readers to include television safety in childproofing their homes against preventable accidents. 

Full post as published by DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog on April 15, 2009 (boomark / email).