Each year there many injuries reported from furniture tipping over. Sadly, many of these cases are children. Some of these cases
even end up being fatal. There are more and more safety standards being put into practice each year by furniture companies, but if they are not used in accordance with these standards in the home, they could still be a hazard. What can parents do to ensure that their furniture does not become a tip over hazard?
L brackets or straps should be used to stabilize furniture such as dressers and shelving units. These brackets are used to secure the item to a wall.
When shopping for furniture, look for sturdy, solid items which have a wider base. Always store heavier items in lower drawers to prevent the unit from becoming top heavy. The same should be done with shelving, any heavy items should be kept on lower shelves.
Position televisions as far back as you can on a unit or if possible, keep it on a low stand.
If children see objects they want such as candy, toys or the remote etc, they will try to reach for them. Although you may want to keep them out of your child’s reach, don’t store these items on a high shelve, its better to keep them either out of sight or on a lower shelf or drawer.
Small children can seriously injure themselves on electrical cords, especially if they are loosely hanging. Keep them out of their reach.
As we have briefly reviewed, there are a number of measures we can take to prevent tipping hazards. But as every parent knows, one of the most important things is proper child supervision, and educating them on the dangers of tipping hazards when they are old enough to understand,.
If you are concerned about tipping hazards in your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more advice.
