Personal Injury Law

CPSC Launches Furniture and TV Tip-Over Education Campaign

By Chrissie Cole

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to take simple measures to prevent deaths and injuries associated with TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs.

Many parents make every effort to childproof their home, but some may not be aware that unsecured appliances, furniture and televisions pose hidden hazards in every room.

According to CPSC, since 2006, more than 16,000 children (mostly young children) were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries associated with tip-over accidents. That's about four times more injuries than from exposed electrical outlets.

From 2000 to 2006, there were 134 tip-over related deaths. Moreover, the agency is aware of 30 reports of tip-over deaths since January 2007.

Most tip-over accidents occur when a child falls or climbs against a TV stand, bookcase, appliance and other items in the home. Children can be crushed, pinned or severely injured or killed by the weight of a falling television or piece of furniture.

'I urge parents to include securing furniture, appliances and TVs in their childproofing efforts,' said Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairman. 'Just a few moments now can prevent a tragedy later.'

The CPSC offers the following safety tips to prevent tip-over hazards:

Avoid flimsy shelves. TVs should be placed on sturdy surfaces and pushed backas far as possible.

For added security of chests and bookcases, anchor the items to the floor or attach them to the wall.

Remote controls should be kept away from the TV to avoid children climbing to reach for them.

Anti-tip brackets should be installed on free-standing stoves and ranges.

CPSC 2.0

The CPSC, in keeping with its commitment to protect the lives of children and families, is launching 'CPSC 2.0,' a comprehensive social networking initiative that will make lifesaving and other safety information more accessible to millions of consumers.

The CPSC, through social media outlets, can directly reach millions of parents and others who most need safety information,' said Tenenbaum.

The launch coincides with the agency's Furniture and TV Tip-Over Education Campaign. The agency hopes to raise public awareness of tip-over dangers in the home by educating caregivers and parents about the dangers of unstable furniture by using blogging, podcasting and real-life videos.

In the future, CPSC 2.0 content will address other safety issues in and around the home in consumer-friendly ways. #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on September 24, 2009 (boomark / email).