While many parents go to great lengths to keep children from viewing inappropriate television content, few adults realize that "unsecured" televisions and other household items can be a lethal danger.

That's why the Los Angeles Fire Department encourages you to watch this short video from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)...

Thousands of preventable injuries - including more than a dozen deaths, occur each year when children climb, fall against or pull themselves onto "unsecured" furnishings, often in an attempt to access a television or other heavy appliance.

Thankfully, there are simple, low-cost steps that can prevent death and injuries associated with furniture, television and appliance tip-overs:

• Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them securely to a wall.
• Place your television on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves. Push the TV as far back as possible.
• Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach kids not to play with them.
• Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won’t be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
• Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
• Keep children safe by surveying the homes of caretakers and sharing this important information.

We encourage you to listen as CPSC's Nychelle Fleming describes the danger lurking in many "unsecured" homes:

For more information, including a safety alert and flyer, please visit:

www.cpsc.gov

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department