The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Michigan residents encouraged to secure TVs, furniture and appliances to prevent tip-over related accidents
January 31, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2018
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
LANSING, Mich. – Every 24 minutes a child in the United States ends up in an emergency department because of a TV or piece of furniture tipping over. That’s why in advance of Super Bowl Sunday, Gov. Rick Snyder has declared Feb. 4 as TV, Furniture and Appliance Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day.
In support of the awareness day, the Injury and Violence Prevention Unit of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michiganders to keep their loved ones safe by taking simple preventative steps to eliminate dangers posed by heavy furniture and appliances in their homes.
Between 2014 and 2016, there were an estimated 30,700 emergency department-treated injuries annually in the United States, and 52 percent of these were children age 17 and under due to TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs. There were 514 reported fatalities between 2000 and 2016 associated with tip-overs in the U.S, and 84 percent of these were children age 14 and younger.
“As football fans across the state prepare for the Super Bowl on Feb. 4, it’s a great opportunity to ensure furniture and TVs are secured and anchored in place so they don’t pose a risk of tipping over,” said Nick Lyon, MDHHS director. “These are simple, preventive steps everyone can take to ensure their homes are safe for all ages.”
It is estimated only one in four adults anchor their TV to a wall. Using furniture straps or a bracket to mount flat-screen TVs is an easy way to protect everyone. When applying these preventative measures, it is important to follow product instructions to ensure proper installation.
Heavy, old-style tube TVs should only be placed on a low (below knee-level), stable piece of furniture. Even lower pieces of furniture can destabilize if they have drawers that can pull out, or if a child tries to climb it. Book shelves and any cabinets or dressers with drawers should also be secured to a wall with a brace or strap.
Visit the Safe Kids Michigan Coalition website at Michigan.gov/injuryprevention for instruction videos, tip sheets and even directions on how to recycle old TVs.
For more information and tips for keeping your home safe, visit the Consumer Production Safety Commission Cpsc.gov, and Safe Kids Worldwide Safekids.org.
# # #