Tragically, up to two children die every year from furniture or TVs toppling over in the home.

The ACCC have shared that toppling furniture and TVs cause hundreds of serious injuries each year.

Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Making sure your home is safe for children could prevent a serious accident.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.!

You can take steps to prevent unstable furniture and TVs from toppling over and crushing a child. Secure furniture and TVs using furniture straps, angle braces or anchors screwed into walls.

If you’re renting a home, talk to your landlord or agent to get permission to install anchor devices to the wall. Explain why you want to secure your furniture and assure them that you will repair damage caused by the installation when the tenancy ends. Make sure you get the landlord or agent’s approval in writing.

Preventing a serious injury or tragedy occurring in your home is easy and affordable. Use anchoring devices to secure furniture and televisions to a wall or other building structure. Most large TVs are supplied with anchor points, and anchoring devices are commonly supplied with tall furniture along with warnings that the anchors must be installed to prevent injury.

If anchors are supplied, you should use them and follow the supplier’s installation instructions. You can also purchase a variety of anchoring devices including straps and brackets from a hardware store. Installation isn’t difficult and you can ask for advice at a hardware store about suitable anchors and the right fasteners for your walls or other building structure.

Safety tips

• Attach, mount, bolt or otherwise secure furniture and televisions to walls and floors.
• Put locking devices on all drawers to prevent children opening them and using them as steps.
• Do not put heavy items on top shelves of bookcases.
• Discourage small children from climbing on furniture.
• Do not put tempting items such as favourite toys on top of furniture that encourages children to climb up and reach.
• Do not place unstable furniture near where children play.

Last year we shared the heartbreaking story of a Toddler who was killed when a bookcase fell on him in a tragic accident. Read about that HERE>

Another important reminder is to check the home for any curtain/blind cords that could be of danger. Find out further details here.

Related story – Toddler dies in terrible home accident that could have been prevented 

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