Unsecured furniture and appliances have caused nearly 200 child deaths between 2000 and 2008. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to inspect and secure these items to prevent any more such tragedies occurring.
Nearly all of the fatalities (93%) involved children five years old and younger. A further 16,000 children were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers.
“Large TVs and unstable furniture can be a deadly combination. Taking simple, low-cost steps to secure furniture and TVs can save lives,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents need to know about this hidden danger and take action now.”
Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances.
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