Super Bowl Sunday alert: TV tip-over accidents can be deadly
Here’s how Super Bowl Sunday football fans can avoid getting tackled by an unsteady television.
People tend to associate the Super Bowl with glitzy half-time shows, memorable commercials, friendly wagers and gathering in community to cheer on favorite teams and players.
But many football fans may not realize that any time spent in near an unsteady television can be dangerous, especially for children.
Roughly 22,500 Americans a year visit an emergency room due to injuries sustained as the result of a tip-over accident with furniture, a TV or an appliance, according to a recent advisory from the North Carolina Department of Insurance, citing statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Almost 44% of such injuries happen to people under 18 years old.
Even more alarming: Every three weeks in the U.S., a child dies from a TV tipping over.
“A lot of people either don’t know about the risks, or they think it can’t happen when an adult is nearby,” North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a press release. “But the sad truth is thousands of children are still injured, and far too many die from TV-tip overs every year. Checking your furniture and television set-up is an important part of keeping your family safe.”
Too many wall-mounted flat screen TVs are not well secured, safety experts report. And those that are not mounted are often top-heavy with narrow supports.
The North Carolina Insurance Commission recommended taking the following steps for home safety in general but especially prior to a big television-watching event such as Super Bowl Sunday.
- 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.
Heads up for party hosts
Should an invited houseguest become injured during a private party, the property owner could be held responsible for those injuries. Premises liability claims arise when hazardous circumstances exist at a property that the owner may have known about and could have previously remedied. However, should an accident happen and result in a lawsuit, many homeowners insurance policies will cover costs stemming from a guest’s injuries, litigation expenses and even injuries sustained by a pet.
See also: