Even with modern televisions, tip-over injuries still occur

On Behalf of | Jan 3, 2023 | Product Liability |

Have you ever heard of a television tip-over? It’s exactly what it sounds like, a television falling over and crushing whatever is beneath it. Thousands of televisions tip over yearly in West Virginia and the rest of the United States, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

There have been over 500 fatalities related to tip-overs since 2000. So it’s a severe problem affecting many people, most of whom are children.

Most of these incidents happen when children climb on furniture, and the TV falls on them. But adults can also be injured if they try to catch a falling TV, and in some cases file a product liability lawsuit. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that from 2014 to 2018, there were 215 deaths from TV tip-overs, and most of those victims were younger than 18.

How can this type of accident be prevented?

To prevent these accidents, the CPSC recommends anchoring flat-screen TVs to the wall or placing them on low, stable furniture. If you have an older CRT television, put it on a sturdy base and push it back as far as possible from the edge of the furniture. And keep remote controls and other tempting items out of reach so kids don’t have the temptation of trying to climb up for them.

One way to prevent TV tip-overs is to secure the TV to the wall. There are various ways to do this, including mounting brackets, straps and furniture anchors.

Another way to prevent TV tip-overs is to ensure that any furniture the TV is sitting on is stable and not likely to topple over. This means avoiding putting the TV on top of tall furniture or unstable surfaces like wobbly tables.

Finally, keeping cords and cables tidy and out of the way is essential. If left dangling, they can create a tripping hazard that could lead to a tip-over.

Reduce the risk of accidents

It is important to remember that these accidents can happen in any home, regardless of age or house setup. TV anchors are an easy and inexpensive way to secure your television and protect yourself and your loved ones from injury or even death due to this preventable hazard.