Every so often it is good to have a review of your home’s safety and look for ways it can be improved. Many injuries are reported every year due to accidents that take place within the home. One of the more common accidents, that is particularly dangerous to children, is furniture tip-overs. Let’s consider how this type of accident can be avoided.
Before you even buy a piece of furniture, think about how easy it would be to tip over. This is especially important to consider in households with young children. Furniture pieces that have a wide, sturdy base are a good option as this makes them bottom heavy and harder to tip over. It is also a good idea to store any heavy items on lower shelves or in bottom drawers.
The television is high on the list of household items that can fall or tip over. If the television is kept on a unit, be sure it is one low to the ground and have the television sitting as far back as possible. Electrical cables that are attached to the tv need to be safely hidden away out of sight.
Self-assembly or flat pack furniture is very popular these days. When assembling any item, be sure you follow all the instructions. These items usually come with a strap or L bracket that enables the item to be firmly fixed to a wall. You must use these as they are specifically intended to prevent tip-over accidents.
Finally, keep any items that you do not want children getting hold of out of their sight and not just out of their reach. If a child sees an item it wants, but it is too high to reach, it will be more likely to climb on furniture that can tip over to get to it.
Before you even buy a piece of furniture, think about how easy it would be to tip over. This is especially important to consider in households with young children. Furniture pieces that have a wide, sturdy base are a good option as this makes them bottom heavy and harder to tip over. It is also a good idea to store any heavy items on lower shelves or in bottom drawers.
The television is high on the list of household items that can fall or tip over. If the television is kept on a unit, be sure it is one low to the ground and have the television sitting as far back as possible. Electrical cables that are attached to the tv need to be safely hidden away out of sight.
Self-assembly or flat pack furniture is very popular these days. When assembling any item, be sure you follow all the instructions. These items usually come with a strap or L bracket that enables the item to be firmly fixed to a wall. You must use these as they are specifically intended to prevent tip-over accidents.
Finally, keep any items that you do not want children getting hold of out of their sight and not just out of their reach. If a child sees an item it wants, but it is too high to reach, it will be more likely to climb on furniture that can tip over to get to it.