A safe home includes childproofing your television

Securing your television is an important part of childproofing your home. As televisions are getting larger and flatter, the number of injuries caused by a toppling TV are increasing.

Every 30 minutes in the U.S., a child is treated in the emergency room for an injury caused by a toppling TV. An article by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows a 125.5% increase in television-related injuries from 1990 to 2011. The majority of these injuries could have been prevented by following a few simple tips:

• Mount flat screen TVs to the wall
• If you use a stand, be sure to use the proper size stand or console for the size of your television – ideally, keep the TV low to the ground and on a wide base. TV’s should not be placed on dressers.
• Secure the television to the wall to prevent tip overs
• Remove objects from the top of the television that children may want to play with (i.e., remotes, food, toys, etc.), so they are not enticed to climb up
• Keep an eye on your child

Related Information

Safekids.org has several childproofing-your-television resources including a  tip sheet on TV and Furniture Tip-Overs  and a TV Tip-Overs By the Numbers Infographic .