Sonia: Welcome to another edition of CPSC’s podcast. I am Sonia Hayes-Pleasant.
Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents once again to inspect and secure TVs, furniture, and appliances to Prevent Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries. Joining me to talk about the agency’s education campaign is CPSC’s spokesperson Nychelle Fleming.
Sonia: Nychelle, how serious is this problem?
Nychelle: Almost weekly, we see news reports about horrible accidents involving young children and furniture, appliance and TV tip-overs. And between 2000 and 2006, CPSC staff received reports of at least 134 deaths involving children 5 and younger.
Sonia: How do these incidents happen?
Nychelle: For young children, the home is a playground, and while many parents childproof to ensure that their home is the safest place, some may not be aware that TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests, and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
Sonia: How can these tragedies be prevented?
Nychelle: We are urging parents to include securing TVs, furniture, and appliances in their childproofing efforts. The simplest solution is to install hardware/devices that anchor furniture to a wall – they’re inexpensive, easy-to-install, and are on-duty 24 hours a day. For young children whose home is a playground, it’s the best way to prevent a tip-over tragedy.
Sonia: Anything else you would like to add?
Nychelle: I cannot stress enough that taking a few moments now to secure furniture and appliances can prevent a tip-over tragedy later.
Sonia: Where can parents find additional information on preventing tip-over injuries and death?
Nychelle: Visit our Web site cpsc.gov. And while you are there, don’t forget to sign up to receive CPSC’s recall announcements directly to your email inbox.
Sonia: That’s it for this week’s CPSC podcast. Thanks for listening.
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