Toppling furniture and televisions are putting dozens of Australians – many of them children – in hospital each week.
The unstable items have also killed at least 22 children under nine years of age since 2001, with children under three at greatest risk.
That’s why the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Kidsafe have launched a national awareness campaign urging parents to check their homes for dangerous and potentially deadly situations posed by unstable bookcases, drawers, wardrobes, sideboards and televisions.
Warwick Teague, director of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s trauma service, said falling furniture could trap and crush a child, causing life threatening injuries or death.
“Common injuries from TV and furniture tip over incidents result from significant blunt force trauma and include broken bones, brain injuries, crushed chest cavities and even death by asphyxiation,” said Dr Teague said.
Statistics show an estimated 2600 Australians receive hospital treatment for injuries caused by toppling furniture and televisions each year. That’s about 50 people every week.
Kidsafe Victoria CEO Melanie Courtney said children’s curiosity and lack of awareness of danger placed them at increased risk of injury from TV and furniture tip overs.
“Children are naturally inquisitive and common household furniture can look very different and interesting from a toddler’s perspective,” she said.
“For example, they may see items of furniture like bookcases and shelves as a ladder to gain access to reach an item that is stored up high.”
ACCC acting chair Delia Rickard said tip-over accidents happened quickly.
She urged parents and carers to secure furniture to make their homes safer for children.
“We strongly encourage parents and carers to check every room in their home for toppling hazards and anchor any tall or unstable furniture or large TVs.”
Anchor kids could be bought cheaply from hardware stores or furniture retail outlets, she added.
The awareness campaign features the story of a toddler, Blake, who was killed when a freestanding bookcase fell on him as he sat playing on the floor. Blake’s death is a tragic reminder to all parents and carers to anchor unstable furniture and large TVs.
Ms Rickard said the ACCC was continuing to work with retailers to increase awareness about the dangers posed by unstable furniture. This included ensuring retailers supply appropriate anchoring devices to consumers, displayed better in-store signage, and affixed warning labels to products.
Furniture safety tips
Buy Safe
- Purchase low-set furniture or furniture with sturdy, stable and broad bases.
- Look for furniture with safety information or equipment for anchoring it to the walls.
- Test the furniture in the shop to ensure it is stable. Pull out top drawers of a chest of drawers and apply a little pressure to see how stable it is. Make sure the drawers do not fall out easily.
Use Safe
- Attach, mount, bolt or otherwise secure furniture to walls and floors.
- Do not put heavy items on top shelves of bookcases.
- Secure televisions to the wall.
- Discourage small children from climbing on furniture.
- Do not put tempting items such as favorite toys on top of furniture that encourage children to climb up and reach.
- Do not place unstable furniture near where children play.
- Put locking devices on all drawers to prevent children opening them and using them as steps.
