Appliances and furniture are helpful in making our lives comfortable and convenient. However, the utility they provide entails harm especially to children.
For instance, flat screen TVs have not only revolutionize how we watch our favorite shows but it also contributed to the increasing number of injuries to children.
Statistics revealed that in 2007 alone, 17,000 children were rushed to emergency hospitals after they were injured due to falling furniture including TVs.
Moreover, according to a study published at Clinical Pediatrics, 47% of children injuries were caused by falling furniture. Children 6 years old and below are the common victims.
In 2005, Representative Allyson Schwartz D-PA saw the need to address the problem. She passed a bill requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create stricter standards for furniture with glass surface or have a higher danger of tripping over. But the bill died twice when it was reintroduced in 2007.
With no law to protect consumers, experts suggest to observe the following when owning furniture specifically flat screen TVs:
1. Avoid placing toys and other attractive figures on top of them
2. Flat panel TVs must be secured on stable grounds to prevent them from toppling over
3. Follow instructions on how to properly secure furniture
4. In case of doubt, let professionals do the installation
For instance, flat screen TVs have not only revolutionize how we watch our favorite shows but it also contributed to the increasing number of injuries to children.
Statistics revealed that in 2007 alone, 17,000 children were rushed to emergency hospitals after they were injured due to falling furniture including TVs.
Moreover, according to a study published at Clinical Pediatrics, 47% of children injuries were caused by falling furniture. Children 6 years old and below are the common victims.
In 2005, Representative Allyson Schwartz D-PA saw the need to address the problem. She passed a bill requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create stricter standards for furniture with glass surface or have a higher danger of tripping over. But the bill died twice when it was reintroduced in 2007.
With no law to protect consumers, experts suggest to observe the following when owning furniture specifically flat screen TVs:
1. Avoid placing toys and other attractive figures on top of them
2. Flat panel TVs must be secured on stable grounds to prevent them from toppling over
3. Follow instructions on how to properly secure furniture
4. In case of doubt, let professionals do the installation
