Safety Alert: UL Warns About TV, Large Furniture Tip-Over Dangers

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent fatalities due to TV accidents, families and caregivers are reminded that we can all do something to safeguard our homes and take steps to prevent similar tragedies.

On average, one child dies every two weeks when a TV, piece of furniture or appliance falls on him, according to reports received by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) between 2000 to 2010. What's more, the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital reports that nearly 40 children visit emergency rooms each day with injuries after a heavy piece of furniture has fallen on them and half of those children (20) are directly related to TV tip-overs.

UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety organization, is dedicated to raising the awareness of the perils of falling TVs. When it comes to children's safety, the most common tip-over scenarios involve toddlers. About 70 percent of children's fatalities involved falling TVs where they have climbed onto, fallen against or pulled themselves up on furniture.

"This is not as uncommon as people might think, sadly," says John Drengenberg, consumer safety director at UL.

UL's current safety standards confirm that a TV can withstand a 10-degree tilt and a force of 20 pounds or 20 percent of its weight without tipping over, and in order to ensure that TVs are installed to this end, offers the following guidelines:

TV PLACEMENT ON FURNITURE

• Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases shelving and bureaus to the wall using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws or toggles
• Place the TV on sturdy furniture appropriate for its size or on a low-rise base
• Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand
• Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, like toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture
• Place electrical and cable cords out of a child's reach and teach them not to play with the cords

MOUNTING PROCEDURES

• While UL tests TV's for safety, they also test the wall mounting hardware. Homeowners must mount TVs in accordance with the installation instructions supplied with the product
• Check for the UL Mark when purchasing mounting hardware to signify that the equipment has been tested for safety

To learn more valuable safety information about preventing accidents at home, please visit www.SafetyAtHome.com.

About UL

UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a world leader in advancing safety, has more than 100 years of proven history. Employing 8,956 professionals in 46 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units - Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and University - to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL services, visit http://www.ul.com/.

SOURCE UL (Underwriters Laboratories)