Look around your home. That flat screen TV in your family room? Dangerous. That dresser in your bedroom? Dangerous too. That shelving unit in your den? Yes, that is also dangerous.
You may not look at these household items and realize the dangers, but each of them is prone to tipping over and injuring a child. Furniture tip-overs are one of the leading causes of child injury in the home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that a child dies every two weeks from a television, piece of furniture or appliciance falls on him/her. And while it is important to teach children to be careful around furniture, kids will be kids and will continue to climb on, push, and jump from furniture no matter how much or how often we remind them. Parents must take all necessary steps to ensure that furniture and electronic devices in the home are stable and secure.
Here are some helpful tips to prevent furniture tip-overs and protect your children:
Develop a Plan: Look around your home. Identify any furniture, appliances, and electronic devices that could potentially tip over. Develop a plan to eliminate this hazard.
Supplies: At your local hardware or baby store, you will find a wide variety of anti-tipping safety braces, straps, and brackets. These will help secure and anchor any furniture or electronic devices that might be subject to tip-over. Kids are particularly drawn to televisions so parents need to secure televisions, particularly the newer and lighter LED televisions, to a wall or television stand.
Storing Items: Parents should avoid storing remote controls, toys, and other items that attract children on elevated shelves and furniture tops. Children are resourceful and will find a way to get to the item even if it means putting themselves in serious danger.
There is no greater job for parents than protecting our children. Hopefully, these tips will help you make your children a little safer around the home.
The Quinn Law Group, LLC, is a firm dedicated to the representation of victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Please contact our firm if you or a loved one needs assistance.
