January 31 – February 6, 2022 is National Furniture Tip-Over Prevention Week!

Recent data show the number of children killed or injured due to furniture and TV tip-overs has decreased significantly but work on this issue is not done. With news stories, recalls, and legislation driving momentum to make our homes safer, the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad is joining the effort to reach even more Manassas-area residents with the message to anchor furniture and televisions.

A 2020 survey found that while most consumers had heard about tip-over injuries, not all took precautions: 469 children were killed by tip-overs in 2017-2019, and thousands more were seen in emergency departments. These numbers show that more work is needed to continue the progress on reducing this type of injury.

Nationally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission coordinates the Anchor It! campaign, which provides information about tip-overs and easy, low-cost ways to secure furniture and TVs throughout the home. An important way to prevent tip-over injuries to children is to install anti-tip straps or devices, which many manufacturers include with furniture and appliances or can be purchased at home improvement stores and online.

With a few minutes of time, the right tools, and the right anti-tip kits, Manassas-area families can ensure that every child who lives in or visits their home is protected from furniture and TV tip-over injuries.

• Secure furniture and TVs to the wall with straps or brackets.
• Mount TVs to the wall when possible, and only put TVs on furniture designed to hold TVs.
• Keep items off the tops of dressers and other furniture so children are not tempted to climb them.
• Look for reported safety issues regarding furniture and other items in your home at www.SaferProducts.gov and follow instructions for any items that appear on the list.

For more information about tip-overs, visit http://www.AnchorIt.Gov

You can also register for and attend a free Zoom webinar at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xMZigXBARdeOc-52pQqGtA

Prevent Child Injury is a national group of organizations and individuals, including researchers, health professionals, educators, and child advocates, working together to prevent injuries to children and adolescents in the U.S.  Prevent Child Injury promotes coordinated public communication about prevention of child injury, which is the leading cause of death of our nation’s youth.  To become a member of Prevent Child Injury or for more information and resources on this and other injury topics, please visit www.preventchildinjury.org.