SATURDAY, Feb. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — As families gather to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, they should protect children from television tip-overs, experts say.
More than 17,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for injuries from a toppling TV, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. That works out to about one child every 30 minutes, with kids younger than 5 years at greatest risk, the researchers said.
In most cases, the television fell from a dresser or armoire, and about 30 percent fell from an entertainment center or TV stand, the study found.
With TVs the star attraction in many homes on game day, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center shared the following safety tips:
- Place TVs on low, stable pieces of furniture and install safety anchors and anti-tip devices on all TVs not mounted to the wall.
- Never place remote controls or toys on top of TVs because children might try to climb and reach them. It’s also important to keep TV cords out of reach so children can’t pull on them.
- Recycle any old TVs no longer in use.
More information
Safe Kids Worldwide has more about TV and furniture tip-overs.
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