Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

In recent weeks, we've heard the horrendous news that two Chicagoland area children suffered life-ending injuries when televisions fell on top of them. Many families, while aware that televisions are considered heavy furniture, do not understand the severe risk televisions present to young children if they fall from a wall or an unsecured television stand. As Chicago products liability and premise liability attorneys (and parents), we understand that this is a scary prospect. Many families own multiple televisions. It is imperative that these televisions are properly anchored so that children cannot tip them over.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that between 2000 and 2010, "[o]n average, one child dies every two weeks when a TV, piece of furniture, or an appliance falls on him." However, more kids are killed in accidents involving television tip-overs than any other piece of furniture. CPSC also estimated "that more than 22,000 children 8 years old and younger were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries resulting from tip-over incident between 2008 to 2010," with the most common incidents involving toddlers who climbed, fell against or pulled themselves onto such furniture.

The Chicago Tribune recently exposed the fact that new TVs are missing a "simple tool that could save their child's life — safety straps or anchors to keep the television from tipping over — because manufacturers aren't required to include them." In fact, it is not that easy to find these safety straps in stores. Safety advocates are now bringing to light the need for manufacturers to include safety straps or device with the purchase of new television.

The Tribune provides the following tips for anchoring a television:

- Use nylon straps or mounting kits to anchor televisions, but do not use furniture safety straps to anchor televisions. Look for straps for televisions only.
- If utilizing a TV stand, make sure it is sturdy. If the base is too small for the TV, a tip-over may occur more easily.
- Do not place televisions on dressers.
- Televisions placed on furniture should be anchored to the wall and sit as far back on the piece of furniture as possible.
- Do not place remote controls or other items (including toys) on top of televisions or television stands. Also, refrain from placing other electronic devices, such as DVD players, on top of televisions.
- Keep cords out of reach.
- Recycle old TVs.
- Always supervise children around unanchored televisions.

Researchers are now looking at the risks posed by flat-screen televisions versus tube televisions. Of course, tube televisions are heavier, but flat screens are easier for children to grab and tip. The Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog discussed this very topic back in 2009, in a blog post, Hidden Household Hazards for Curious Tots. There, we discussed various household hazards and tips for keeping small children safe.