There are unfortunately, many cases of injuries to children from furniture tipping over reported each year. What is even worse is that some of these cases are fatal. More and more safety standards are being put into practice each year by furniture companies, but the truth is, if they are used in the correct way in the home, they will still be a hazard. How can parents ensure that their furniture is not a tipping hazard?

  • When purchasing furniture, choose sturdy, solid items that have a wide base. Keep heavier items in bottom drawers so that they do not become top heavy. The same should be done with shelving, heavier items should always be placed on the lower shelves.
  • Furniture should be stabilized by attaching it to the wall with a L bracket or strap.
  • Televisions are not as bulky as they used to be, but even so, they can still cause a lot of damage if they tip over. Position the television as far back as possible on a unit or better still, keep it on a low stand.
  • Children love to climb and will often use opened drawers to do so, keep this from happening as best you can by installing drawer stops so that the drawer will not open very wide.
  • If children see things like candy, toys or the remote etc, they will want to reach for them. Don’t store these items on a high shelve, its better to keep them either out of sight or on a lower shelf or drawer.
  • Electrical cords are very hazardous to children as they can very easily pull on them. Keep them out of their reach.

While there are a number of things that can be done to prevent tipping hazards, as every parent knows, the most important thing is good child supervision. and when old enough, educating them on the dangers.

If you are concerned about tipping hazards in your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more advice.