Four year old Gianna Hadjis was a fun loving little girl who “loved everyone” and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But in an instant her life was cut short by a falling television. “My guess is that she was hanging on the edge of the table and her weight pulled the TV on top of her,” explained her distraught father.
Unfortunately, this tragedy wasn’t an isolated incident. In the Chicago area alone, four children have died since November 2011 as a result of television tip-overs, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that a child dies every two weeks as a result of a television, piece of furniture, or other appliance falling on them.
Another 14,700 children are treated for tip-over-related injuries each year according to estimates by the Center for Injury Research. Most tip-over-related accidents occur among children younger than 7 years of age.
Yet, parents may be unaware of the dangers. Kids are quick, nimble and unaware of their own limitations – a recipe for disaster. And worst of all, they have little fear of climbing.
Flat screen televisions may seem lighter than conventional cathode ray televisions, but their high centers of gravity and thin profiles pose a tip-over hazard. And while new flat screen televisions have taken over the living room, older conventional TVs are being relegated to the bedroom where they’re often placed atop shelves and dressers. This can be a recipe for disaster.
A dresser may at first glance appear sturdy, but as a child pulls out the drawers to climb up, the weight of the child and leverage provided by an open drawer can cause even a seemingly sturdy dresser to come tumbling down.
Parents often make the mistake of placing toys, candy, or remote controls on top of their televisions. These items are kid magnets. In November of 2011, a six-year-old Illinois boy was crushed to death by his family’s television after it’s believed he climbed up to reach his juice box on top of the set. Likewise, Samara Brinkley of Jacksonville, FL lost her daughter who was trying to reach her Dora the Explorer book from atop the TV when it tipped off its stand.
To keep your little ones safe, consider these additional tips:
- Avoid stands or shelves that are not sturdy enough to support a television. A child running into such a stand could cause the TV to come tumbling down.
- Place your TV on a low, wide base. Push it as far back toward the wall on its base as possible.
- Make sure to keep television cords out of the way of young arms and legs so that kids don’t pull televisions, appliances, or other electronic gear on top of themselves.
- When in doubt, strap your television or other heavy objects to the wall. The best place for flat screen TVs is safely mounted on the wall out of reach of young hands.
Remember shelves, bookcases, and dressers without televisions on them pose a danger as well. Make sure they’re strapped to the wall or anchored to the floor and keep the heavy objects on the lowest shelves. And again, do not place toys or other things that might attract kids on the highest shelves.
To learn more about eliminating the tip-over hazards in your home, visit SafeKids.org or Charlie’s House, an organization founded by the parents of a two year old who was crushed trying to climb a bedroom dresser. Be sure to download the Charlie’s house safety checklist to help make your home a safe place for kids.
Andriea Ishman says
That’s powerful! My family lost a 2 year old, because of this same situation.
sunsetssplendor says
So sad. My coworker lost a nephew from a window fall. Apparently the sofa was lined up against it and he pressed against the screen and went through it. Thanks for such an important reminder.
https://doingmemindbodyandspirit.blogspot.com/