Furniture Can Tip Over On Children

CPSC DOCUMENT #5004

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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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