When my son became a preschooler, I took a sigh of relief and thought to myself, "Phew, we made it through the climbing stage unscathed!" I felt so blessed that my son was never "a climber" and assumed he never would be. Well, my confidence was shattered not to long ago when I witnessed him opening my dresser drawers. When I asked what he was doing, he nonchalantly explained that he wanted to reach a movie that my husband or I left on top of the dresser.
I immediately sat him down and explained the consequences of what could have happened had he proceeded with his plan. I couldn't help myself as a Pediatric OR Nurse from telling him the injuries he would have sustained and the time he would have had to spend in the hospital (meaning No Preschool, No Swim Lessons, No Summer Vacations, No Playing Baseball etc). Of course I refrained from sharing my professional experiences of those children who ended up with permanent brain damage or those who died from their extensive injuries.
How much he absorbed, not so sure. Do I trust that my words were enough to deter him from doing it again? Not at all! Words are never enough when in competition with a child's desire, determination, and curiosity.
Read the article below for useful information and safety tips to prevent this tragedy from happening in your home!
The hidden home hazard…
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that between 2000 and 2006 there were at least 180 deaths related to tip-overs of furniture, televisions or appliances. Most of theses deaths, 80 percent of them, involved children younger than 10. In 2007, the CPSC identified this issue as one of the top five hidden home hazards. Children can be seriously injured or killed as result of climbing onto, falling against or pulling themselves up on shelves, bookcases, dressers, TV tables and other furniture.
Whether you have a baby learning to stand, an unsteady toddler trying to climb, or a fearless preschooler who still doesn’t quite understand balance, furniture tip-overs are a real and hidden danger for children.
Regardless of your child’s abilities and limitations, top-heavy furniture, TVs and appliances can tip over and seriously injure young children. There are many easy-to-install devices that anchor furniture to the wall, making furniture more stable and tip-over resistant. These devices are designed for dressers, wall units, and anything your child might try to climb.
Top safety tips to help prevent tip-overs:
- If a piece of furniture is unstable or top-heavy, secure it to a stud in the wall using brackets, braces, anchors, or wall straps. Large items such as TVs, microwaves, fish tanks, bookcases, heavy furniture, and appliances can topple off stands and fall on children.
- If you have a newer flat screen TV, make sure it’s properly anchored to the wall.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions for tips or warnings regarding placement of your TV or furniture.
- Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
- Don’t keep remote controls, candy, toys, or other items that attract children on top of furniture, as your child might be enticed to reach for these items.
- Supervise young children at all times. Nothing can take the place of active supervision.
Don’t underestimate the possibility of a small child being crushed by unsteady furniture.
For more information regarding furniture tip-overs and entrapment, or other information on injury prevention, log on to www.safekidsgf.com or send us an e-mail at safekids@altru.org.
