The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released a report on the hazards of furniture and TV tip-over incidents. The CPSC’s report indicates that thousands of furniture-related tip-over accidents still happen each year, with an estimated average of 19,400 emergency department-treated injuries from 2019 to 2021. The report also showed that from 2000 to 2021, there were nearly 600 reported deaths, of which 81% involved children under 18. Among the CPSC’s key findings, 70% of all child fatalities involved a falling television, and 93% of TV tip-overs resulted in head injuries.
CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said that TV and furniture tip-overs are a major safety concern in a lot of American households, and he urged people to purchase and install anti-tip-over kits, which cost under $20 and can be installed in less than 20 minutes. The CPSC’s Anchor It! campaign outlines three steps to reduce the risk of tip-over incidents, including anchoring TVs and furniture securely to the wall, placing TVs on a sturdy, low base, and avoiding storing items where children may be tempted to climb to reach them.
The report also showed that in October 2022, CPSC authorized a new safety rule for clothing storage units (CSUs), mandating these units are tested for stability and labeled to ensure fewer children are at risk. In December 2022, the federal Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth ( STURDY Act) also became federal law, requiring a safety standard to protect children from tip-overs.
To protect families from dangerous tip-over risks, the CPSC urges all parents with small children to take essential steps, including anchoring TVs and furniture securely to the wall, placing TVs on a sturdy, low base, and avoiding storing items where children could be tempted to climb to reach them. The CPSC also recommends storing heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers and keeping TV and cable cords out of the reach of small children, and adult supervision of small children is important even if their TVs and furniture are anchored.
For further information on consumer product safety, individuals can visit CPSC.gov, sign up to receive e-mail alerts, follow the CPSC on social media, and report dangerous products or product-related injuries on SaferProducts.gov.
How Product Liability Lawsuits Compensate People Harmed By Defective Products
A product liability lawsuit is a legal claim brought against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of a product that causes injury, death, or damage to property due to a defect in the product or a failure to warn consumers of its potential dangers. Product liability lawsuits are designed to hold the negligent parties responsible for the injuries or damages they caused and may involve claims of negligence, breach of warranty, or strict liability. To bring a product liability lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove that the product was unreasonably dangerous or defective, that the defect caused the injury or damage, and that the product was being used as intended or in a foreseeable way at the time of the incident. Product liability lawsuits can arise from a wide range of products, including vehicles, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, toys, appliances, and consumer goods.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover financial compensation for harm caused by dangerous drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured and you suspect it is due to someone else’s negligence, Parker Waichman LLP is here to help. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping victims recover compensation for their losses. Call us today at our toll-free number, 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529), to learn about your legal options. The time to file your claim is limited by state law, so please do not wait to seek legal justice for your damages.
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