Anchoring TV and furniture prevents tip-over injury to kids

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Anchoring TV and furniture prevents tip-over injury to kids
Anchoring TV and furniture prevents tip-over injury to kidsUnsecured televisions and large pieces of furniture have killed and injured thousands of children. The government reports 267 children have died from TVs tipping over since 2000 and estimates about 11,000 suffered injuries.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- You might not realize your TV and the furniture it rests on can be a serious hazard. They can tip over and injure or even kill a child. The government reports 267 children have died from TVs tipping over since 2000 and estimates about 11,000 suffered injuries. About half were under 3 years old.

Sylvia Santiago lost her daughter, Janiya, one early morning when the toddler crawled out of bed and went into the next room.

"The next thing I know I heard the TV coming down. So I immediately picked this huge TV up and just threw it," Santiago said.

But it was too late. Janiya died in the hospital a week later.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns about putting a TV on a dresser or other furniture that a child can tip over. Consumer Reports also that warns that furniture like bookcases and dressers can tip over, even without a TV on top. If you have small children around, potentially tippy furniture should also be anchored to the walls behind it.

Watch Consumer Specialist Ric Romero's report in the video above.

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