USA Facts: Television and Furniture Tip-Over Safety

Between 2008 and 2010, there were an estimated 25,300 injuries annually to children aged 17 and under from televisions, furniture and appliances tipping over on them.

Key Facts

• Every three weeks between 2000 and 2010, a child died from a television tipover.
• Every 45 minutes, or less than the length of a Sesame Street episode, a child is sent to the emergency department.
• The estimated number of emergency room visits for kids aged 19 and under has increased 31% over the last decade, from 9,800 in 2002 to 12,800 in 2011.
• Between 2000 and 2010, 245 children died from televisions, furniture and appliances tipping over on them. Of these, 169 children (69%) died from television tip-overs.
• Between 2008 and 2010, there were an estimated 25,300 injuries annually to children aged 17 and under from televisions, furniture and appliances tipping over on them. 54% (13,700) of these injuries involved a television.
• In 2011, an estimated 12,800 kids aged 19 and under were seen in emergency departments for injuries caused by televisions tipping over. Over the last
• decade, an estimated 122,300 children were seen in emergency departments for these injuries.
• The overall rate of these injuries has increased from 12 injuries per 100,000 children in 2002 to 15.4 injuries per 100,000 children in 2011.

Every 3 weeks, a child is killed by a television tip-over. Tip-overs are completely preventable with a few simple steps. Please share this with friends with young children. Thanks for keeping kids safe.