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Injuries from Flat-Screen TVs on the Rise

Injuries from Flat-Screen TVs on the Rise

The popularity of flat-screen televisions has also been accompanied by a little known fact – hundreds of children have been injured by falling flat panel TVs.

According to a MSNBC report, Americans have taken to flat panel televisions with great enthusiasm and this has contributed to an increase in the number of injuries associated with falling TVs. According to a study published in Clinical Pediatrics, in 2007, close to 17,000 children had to be rushed to emergency rooms nationwide after they were injured by furniture falling them. Such injuries according to the study, have increased by 41 percent since 1990. It's not a coincidence that large flat panel televisions have also increased in popularity during the same time.

Along with these televisions, Americans have also purchased the appropriate entertainment centers and television stands to accommodate these TVs. These stands have a narrow design that makes them less stable and prone to toppling over. According to the study, injuries from falling TVs alone account for close to half of all injuries related to falling furniture. 47 percent of all furniture injuries in fact, are caused by falling televisions. Around 75 percent of victims of falling furniture are below 6 years of age. Children of this age may not understand the risks of climbing on top of furniture.

According to child safety specialists, it's important that parents take care to secure flat panel televisions in their homes. These televisions have a narrow center of gravity which means that they are less stable, and are more likely to fall over. They are top heavy and consumers may not be aware that they can conceal up to a hundred pounds of glass circuitry into a panel that is just a few inches thick. The stands that are designed to hold these televisions, also tend to be light weight. In contrast, older televisions are large and heavy with a broad base which allows them to sit firmly on a table top.

Besides, enthusiastic homeowners may ignore specific instructions for securing their new flat panel televisions. Even when these are hung from wall brackets they may still pose a damage when installation is done by inexperienced installers or homeowners themselves. Improperly secured consoles are more prone to dislodge and fall off.

Legislators have tackled the problem with no success. In 2005, Representative Allyson Schwartz D-PA introduced a bill that would have require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish stricter standards for furniture that include a glass surface or have a higher danger of tripping over. That bill died not once but twice, after Schwartz introduced it again in 2007. What that means is that homeowners are on their own when it comes to making sure that these TVs are secured properly.

Experts have the following tips to reduce falling television injuries in children:

• Place TVs low to the ground
• In case of wall mounted televisions, use strong safety straps or L brackets
• Your TV stand should have a solid base
• Avoid keeping children's toys and other items on top of the television

Lastly, always make sure that you are aware of what your kids are doing. The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of dangerous products. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us. The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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