Toddlers' tragic deaths are preventable

Three-year old Shaniya Singleton and six-year old Karl Clermont both lived in Chicago’s South Side area. 

They both became the unsuspecting characters of tragic stories.

They are both fatality victims of completely preventable home accidents. 

www.outoftownclub.com

Little Shaniya died this week when a heavy television fell on her head in her home, pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:32 pm. On October 30th, Karl was died when an unsecured television tip-over crushed the child’s head while it is suspected he attempted to reach for something up high on the TV stand. The top-heavy nature of a large television on a high stand creates a dangerous scenario in many homes   

To adults chests of drawers, tables or bookshelves are furniture and home décor.  To a toddler or adventurous child it is Mount Everest just waiting to be climbed.  In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a recent report that shows the extent of this hazardous in-home threat to child safety.

                                                                                                    Over 22,000 emergency room (ER) treatments for injuries linked to unstable television or tall furniture have been registered annually (2008-2010)

• Between 2000 and 2010 CPSC received reports that indicated the furniture tip-over (crush) deaths of 245 young children eight years or younger. 
• Children 5 years or younger were the victims in more than 90% of incidents
• 67% of the children involved received fatal head injuries

Another study conducted over a seventeen-year period was undertaken by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Their 2009 reported statistics also paint a dangerous scene for youngsters under the age of six years.

• An average of 14,000 people in the USA visit an ER annually due to furniture-related injuries

• 2% of those visits (300) result in death

• The most common furniture piece involved in the deaths of children under 6 years was a television set

There is currently no federal guideline in place for the stability of furniture in homes or childcare centers. In May 2009, the ASTM International, a group of well-respected and knowledgeable industry experts, developed safety standard ASTM F2057 to address this tip-over hazard. This specific specification is intended to reduce child injuries and deaths from the hazards related to tip-over of dressers, storage units, armoires and bureaus over 30 inches.  But here’s the rub - This standard set for manufacturers are voluntary, which means that some manufacturers will comply, and some will not. Unless a consumer is already aware of the guidelines for tip-over safety, they could unwittingly make a purchase they think is safe, but could be a severe threat to their children if not set up and secured properly.

The best recipe for the lack of federal regulations is to be a smart consumer.  Simple steps can be taken to secure televisions and tall furniture so it will not tip-over. Californians are familiar with securing furniture to the walls to deter as much damage during string ground-shaking incidents as possible.  But remember, even if you do not live in an earthquake-prone area – if you have young children running around the house, you may already have a hurricane whirling inside.

Take these easy steps to reduce the risk of television or furniture tip-over in your home.

• Securely strap TV sets to a stable stand or the wall

• Attach large and tall furniture to the wall using safety straps, Metal L-brackets or other strong securing hardware.

• Make sure to remove anything from the top of the TV stand, shelf or dresser that will attract young children (toys, games, snacks, candy, etc.)

• If not already in place, install drawer stops on dressers to prevent the drawers from opening more than 2/3^rd of the way out.  

If you see a potential tip-over hazard at your friends house or at your child’s school or child care facility, say something.  Education and word of mouth is the best messaging systems we have.  Use them boldly.  The life you save may be a child’s.