Woodland Hills family warns others after heavy dresser falls on 4-year-old girl

WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Woodland Hills couple is sounding the alarm about securing heavy furniture after a heavy dresser fell on their 4-year-old daughter.

Little Delilah Teshinsky was climbing on her dresser when it toppled over right on top of her. The frightening incident was caught on video.

"From the time she walked into her room to the time the dresser was on top of her was only 45 seconds. So that shows you how quickly these types of accidents happen," said Tara Teshinsky, Delilah's mother.

Teshinsky says she still has a hard time watching the video - even though her daughter is fine.

Her only injury was a bruised nose. Fortunately, baskets full of stuffed animals near the dresser took the brunt of the fall.

Delilah's grandparents rushed in just a few seconds later to lift the 200-pound piece of furniture off the 35-pound girl.

Pediatrician Dr. Janisree De Silva said she has seen the aftermath of falling furniture.

According to Nationwide Children's Hospital, each year, nearly 15,000 kids end up in the emergency room because of toppled furniture or televisions.

De Silva says the solution is simple.

"Furniture, TV sets, bookshelves need to be bolted to walls and to ceilings," she said.

In the Teshinskys' case, they had just moved into the house and hadn't gotten around to securing the furniture.

In the hours after the accident, Delilah's father Andrew Teshinsky and his father-in-law installed straps throughout the house.

"I've talked to so many parents who say, 'My stuff is so heavy, I don't need to strap them.' Well, no. If your stuff is so heavy it's going to fall if they pull the drawer out, and it's even more weight which is going to smash them," Andrew Teshinsky said.

The Teshinskys say they initially wanted to bury this video, ashamed that this happened to their daughter.

But after talking with other parents, they realized most of their friends haven't secured any of their furniture.

"I think we need to share this, because it could save another kid. Children have died from this happening," Tara Teshinsky said.

Even if you're only remotely handy, you can install anti-tip straps throughout your house. You can find the kits at most home improvement stores for around $10.