Courtesy: UW HealthMADISON (WKOW) -
A toddler was critically injured Wednesday when she was climbing a piece of furniture in her home and a television fell on her, making five cases of TVs falling and injuring or killing children in Chicago since October.
Jim Savage, director of the Kohl's Safety Center in American Family Children's Hospital, says Milwaukee has seen quite a few cases, as well. He thinks part of the issue is newer, flat-screen TVs that have smaller bases and are bigger, with more surface mass that's able to tip.
"An until recently, many of the newer styles of TVs didn't come with any way to secure them," said Savage. "We're starting to see more and more now that actually come with the straps or you can order the straps. I remember when we first opened the Safety Center(in 2008) we contacted several of the major TV manufacturers, and none of them had a product available where you secure it to the wall, other than a wall mount."
Savage is talking about straps used to anchor televisions to the wall, similar to the straps parents use to anchor furniture to their walls when child-proofing their homes. Savage goes on to say TV manufacturers are improving their designs, making products with broader bases that make them harder to tip. He also thinks families are becoming more aware, due to reports of children being hurt or killed.
Savage wants to remind parents each piece of furniture or television needs two anchoring straps, attaching it to the wall on both sides from the back. Also, try to avoid putting a television or anything else that might peak a child's interest high on a piece of furniture or entertainment center.
The Safety Center sells safety products, and serves as a resource for educating caregivers and answering any questions they might have.
