CPSC releases new data report showing the need to anchor it! Stay strong
WASHINGTON, February 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As Americans around the world prepare to buy new televisions ahead of the big game on Sunday February 12the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released new figures showing that much more needs to be done to protect children from television and furniture-related deaths and injuries.
The CPSC’s latest report on injuries and deaths related to furniture, TV, and appliance tip-overs shows that there are still thousands of incidents of furniture-related tip-overs each year. The report revealed an estimated annual average of 19,400 emergency department (ED) injuries associated with rollover incidents from 2019 to 2021. Between 2000 and 2021, 592 deaths were reported, 81% of which involved children under the age of 18. years. .
Other key findings:
- 70% of all child deaths involved falling from television (from 2000 to 2021)
- 93% of TV overturns involved head injuries
- Of the 482 children killed in rollover incidents, 426 – or 88% – were under the age of 5 (from 2000 to 2021)
- Non-Hispanic Black Americans accounted for 23% of known injuries treated by ED where race/ethnicity was known, compared to their 13% of the US population (from 2019 to 2021)
“Furniture and television tip-overs remain a major safety risk for American households,” the CPSC chairman said. Alex Hoehn-Saric. “The CPSC advanced key regulations last year that will apply to certain furniture. But people can take action in their homes now, by purchasing and installing anti-tip kits. Most kits cost less than $20 and can be installed in less than 20 minutes. As consumers shop for new TVs ahead of Sunday’s big game kick off, we urge everyone to take those 20 minutes and make sure new TVs, along with all other furniture, are anchored in safe.”
In October 2022, the CPSC has approved a new safety standard for clothing storage units (CSUs) that requires these units to be tested for stability and labeled, a much-needed improvement that will help ensure fewer children are at risk. Moreover, in December 2022the federal STURDY law came into effect, which also requires a safety standard to protect children from rollovers.
For consumer peace of mind, Anchor It! campaign website describes three simple steps designed to reduce the risk of a rollover. Learn how to anchor furniture safely here.
CPSC urges all adults to take essential steps to protect their families from dangerous tipping hazards:
- Securely attach televisions and furniture, such as bookcases and dressers, to the wall.
- Always place TVs on a solid, low base and move the TV back as far as possible, especially if anchoring is not possible.
- Avoid displaying or storing objects, such as toys and remote controls, where children might be tempted to climb to reach them.
- Store heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
- If you’re buying a new TV, consider a recycling center to get rid of old ones that aren’t currently being used. If you move the TV to another room, make sure it is properly anchored to the wall.
- Keep TV and cable cords out of reach of children.
- Even when TVs and furniture are anchored, adult supervision is still recommended.
Anchor It! Campaign’s recent PSA safety video includes live footage of children and falling furniture. Media can download the video: “Even when you watch.”
Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
About US CPSC
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries and property damage caused by consumer product incidents cost more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits anyone from selling products that are the subject of a Commission-ordered recall or a voluntary recall initiated in consultation with the CPSC.
For vital information:
– Visit CPSC.gov.
– Sign up to receive our email alerts.
– Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
– Report an unsafe product or product-related injury at www.SaferProducts.gov.
– Call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
– Contact a media specialist.
Build number: 23-108
SOURCE US Consumer Product Safety Commission
