Parents and caregivers childproof their home, but many do not understand the potential danger of furniture or television tip-overs. Every three weeks a child dies from a television tipping over, this includes flat-screen televisions because although lighter, they tend to tip over easier. Over the past ten years, a child visits the emergency room every 45 minutes because of a television or furniture tipping over.

Safety Tips

• 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.
• Make sure all the TVs in your house are mounted firmly to the wall or a piece of furniture, not just the one(s) you use most often.
• Dressers, bookcases, mirrors, and other large pieces of furniture should be secured to the wall.
• Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture. A Google search for “anti-tip anchor” will provide some starting points, including some that do not make holes in walls or furniture and/or do not require tools for installation.
• Move heavy items to low shelves or drawers to prevent tipping.
• Remove tempting objects that a child can see but cannot reach, like electronics (iPads, remotes, etc.) or other items from on top of furniture you don’t want children to climb on.
• Regularly check the restraints to make sure they are tight and secure.