is your TV ready for Superbowl Sunday?

TVs and furniture pose real threats to young children. You might have seen the footage make the rounds on social media: a child climbs a dresser, and it falls over on top of them, pinning them underneath. These videos are shocking because we can see for ourselves that our kids are often closer to danger than we might realize. Fortunately, tip-overs can be easy to prevent. Anchoring furniture and TVs to the wall with straps, brackets, or mounts gives parents and caregivers a way to protect everyone from crushing tip-over injuries.  

“While you get ready for the big game, whether your team is playing, or you are just watching for the commercials, now is a great time to make sure your TV and other large furniture items are secure,” says Abbey Pettiford, injury prevention coordinator.   

These devices are sometimes included by the manufacturer, or you can buy them at hardware stores and online. Stores like Ikea also allow you re-order mounting kits. Appliances (like stoves) can also tip over, so ask the person who’s installing your appliance to make sure the anti-tip devices are installed as well. Whether it’s a curious mind or not-so-frequent climbers working to get what they want, kids can get themselves into very dangerous situations if they pull on or climb unsecured furniture. Create a safer environment for them by attaching furniture and TVs to walls, and ask everyone who cares for your children to do the same in their homes: 

• Secure furniture and TVs to the wall with straps or brackets.  

• Mount TVs to the wall when possible, and only put TVs on furniture designed to hold TVs 

• Keep items off the tops of dressers and other furniture so children are not tempted to climb them.  

• Look for reported safety issues regarding furniture and other items in your home at www.SaferProducts.gov and follow instructions for any items that appear on the list. 

For more information about tip-overs, visit www.AnchorIt.gov.