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Hidden Hazard In the Home
According to reports received by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, from 1982 to 1986 several deaths and thousands of
injuries occurred to children when furniture tipped over. These
injuries and deaths occurred when children fell against, climbed
onto, or sat on furniture. They also occurred when children tried
to move furniture or open or close drawers or doors. Young
children tried to pull themselves up or climb on chests of
drawers, TV carts, stands, or tables, or bookcase shelves.
Furniture can tip over on children.
Chests of drawers tip-overs were associated with an estimated
2,000 hospital emergency room treated injuries per year from 1982
through 1986. Six children under 5 years of age died when these
chests tipped over on them.
TV tip-overs were associated with an estimated 2300 hospital
emergency room-treated injuries per year from 1982 through 1986.
Four children under 5 years of aged died when TVs fell on them.
CPSC estimates that 400 of the injuries occurred when the TV was
located on a cart, stand, or table.
Bookcase tip-overs were associated with approximately 580
hospital emergency room-treated injuries annually from 1982
through 1986. One child under 5 years of age died when a bookcase
tipped
over.
Warning
Young children can be killed when furniture tips over.
Place TVs on lower furniture, as far back as possible. Use
angle-braces or anchors to secure furniture to wall.
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