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The Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services states that every 24 minutes a child in the United States ends up in an emergency department because of a TV or piece of furniture tipping over. Therefore, in light of up-coming Super BowlSunday, Gov. Rick Snyder has declared Feb. 4 as TV, Furniture and Appliance Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day.
In support of the awareness day, the Injury and Violence Prevention Unit of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michiganders to keep their loved ones safe by taking simple preventative steps to eliminate dangers posed by heavy furniture and appliances in their homes.
According to MDHHS, between 2014 and 2016, there were an estimated 30,700 emergency department-treated injuries annually in the United States, and 52 percent of these were children age 17 and under due to TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs. There were 514 reported fatalities between 2000 and 2016 associated with tip-overs in the U.S, and 84 percent of these were children age 14 and younger.
“As football fans across the state prepare for the Super Bowl on Feb. 4, it’s a great opportunity to ensure furniture and TVs are secured and anchored in place so they don’t pose a risk of tipping over,” said Nick Lyon, MDHHS director. “These are simple, preventive steps everyone can take to ensure their homes are safe for all ages.”
It is estimated only one in four adults anchor their TV to a wall. Using furniture straps or a bracket to mount flat-screen TVs is an easy way to protect everyone. When applying these preventative measures, it is important to follow product instructions to ensure proper installation. This according to MDHHS.
Heavy, old-style tube TVs should only be placed on a low (below knee-level), stable piece of furniture. Even lower pieces of furniture can destabilize if they have drawers that can pull out, or if a child tries to climb it. Book shelves and any cabinets or dressers with drawers should also be secured to a wall with a brace or strap.
Well, now that I think about it, as a father of two young kids who like to use the living room as a jungle gym, maybe Governor Snyder is onto something! Now, if only the governor showed as much concern for residents of Flint and the on-going Water Crisis.
Well, now that I think about it, as a father of two young kids who like to use the living room as a jungle gym, maybe Governor Snyder is onto something! Now, if only the governor showed as much concern for residents of Flint and the on-going Water Crisis.
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