North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey encourages families preparing to watch Super Bowl LV on Sunday to make a quick television safety check to ensure they enjoy the game safely and without worry.
Right now, while families are spending more time at home, is the perfect time to remember to secure your TVs and any heavy furniture to avoid injuries, said Commissioner Causey, who also chairs Safe Kids North Carolina.
In recognition of National TV Safety Day, Safe Kids NC is working with coalitions across the state to raise awareness about the proper setup and safety of televisions and their placement throughout the home.
“It’s just so sad that we continue to see so many injuries and sometimes even deaths from TV tip-overs when we know this can be prevented," said Commissioner Causey. "Many families don’t realize the inherent dangers of having TVs that aren’t properly secured so that’s why we’re working on this topic and trying to bring information to the table."
Safe Kids NC is partnering with Safe Kids Worldwide and the Consumer Electronics Association to promote National TV Safety Day as a means of preventing childhood deaths and injuries because of televisions that tip over.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, one child dies every two weeks in the United States from a TV, piece of furniture or an appliance tipping over and falling on them. Every day, 10 children are rushed to the emergency room for injuries caused by televisions that are not appropriately secured.
Many TV tip-overs are the result of unsteady TVs that are not secured to the wall. Flat screen TVs that are top-heavy with narrow bases can be easily pulled off an entertainment center or table.
Large and heavy TVs that are placed on dressers or high furniture can also tip-over if children climb the drawers to reach a remote control, a video game or anything else that attracts their attention.
Commissioner Causey offers these tips to help keep children safe:
- Secure TVs. Mount flat-screen TVs to the wall. Place older, box-style TVs on a low, stable piece of furniture designed to bear more weight. Anchor the TV to the wall or the piece of furniture.
- Attach furniture to the wall. Use anti-tip brackets, braces or wall straps to secure furniture to the wall. Install stops on dresser drawers to prevent them from being pulled all the way out.
- Rearrange household items. Store heavy objects on lower shelves or in lower drawers. Avoid placing remote controls, toys or other items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.
About Safe Kids North Carolina
Safe Kids North Carolina is dedicated to preventing childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in North Carolina. For more information, contact Safe Kids NC Director Shannon Bullock at 919.218.081 or Shannon.Bullock@ncdoi.gov