Baby Safety Month: Avoid a TV Tip-Over

September is known as Baby Safety Month. Most new moms and dads are aware of the importance in baby-proofing their home, but they may not know about some hidden dangers around the house. TV tip-overs are a common accident that injure an estimated 47 children each day. In fact, pediatric injuries resulting from TV tip-overs have increased by more than 30% over the past decade. The majority of these injuries occur in children ages 5 and under.

Learn how to help protect your little ones from a TV tip-over with the advice below:

• Always use an appropriately sized TV stand. Today’s flat-screen TV’s can tip-over easily. Never use an under-sized TV stand for a larger new TV.

• Don’t use a tall dresser as a TV stand. Little children like to open dresser drawers and use them for climbing. If this happens, the dresser and TV can easily fall on the child.

• Even the heavier TVs of decades past can tip and fall on a child. Older TVs should be recycled or placed on a low and stable TV stand.

• If you have children living in or visiting your home, you should anchor your television for their safety. An unsecured TV is a hazard. You can use a wall mount to anchor your TV to a wall. Or you can anchor the TV stand to the wall studs and the TV to the back of the stand. Your third option is to anchor both the TV stand and the television to the wall studs.

• Finally, remember that TV tip-overs are only one hidden danger to children. Take time this month to educate yourself on proper baby-proofing methods and remain vigilant to protect your child as they begin to crawl, walk and become more agile.

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