Preventing Appliance Tip-Overs

Although it may not be a hazard most people consider, items such as kitchen appliances, TVs, and furniture can be deadly to children if they fall on them. Tragically, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, one child in the U.S. dies every two weeks because of a tip-over accident. More than 16,000 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms due to tip-overs, according to estimates from the CPSC.

Usually, these injuries are caused when children climb on, fall against, or pull themselves onto kitchen stoves, bookcases, dressers, television stands, or other heavy pieces of furniture. Injuries can also occur when televisions on top of furniture tip over onto children.

There are some tips recommended by the CPSC to prevent these tragic injuries. First, make sure that furniture is stable on its own. If possible, anchor furniture such as dressers, bookcases and entertainment centers to the floor or wall. To keep TVs safe for children, push them as far back as possible so children can’t reach them. Place TVs on a sturdy base, and keep remote controls away from the TV stand so that children won’t grab for them. Finally, make sure that appliances that aren’t anchored to the wall have anti-tip brackets.

Have you or a loved one been injured by a furniture or appliance tip-over? If so, the manufacturer of the furniture or appliance may be held liable for any damages caused by the accident. Contact Orange County personal injury attorney Don Sjaarda at 714-963-8216 to learn more.