Citing the recent rash of television tip-over accidents in the Chicago area, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a life-saving reminder to parents across the country: anchor both your televisions and furniture. The Chicago Tribune reports that falling TVs have injured or killed five young children in the greater Chicago area in less than four months, prompting experts and child safety advocates to call for public education and increased safety measures. The most recent tip-over case involved a two-year-old girl who was struck by both a TV and a dresser, but fortunately survived the incident. According to research conducted by the federal safety commission, 169 children died after TVs fell on them from 2000 to 2010.
Safety experts believe manufacturers should include straps or anchors with all new televisions, though they are currently not required to. An added recommendation is for stores that sell TVs to sell straps to consumers for use on older television models. Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an independent company that sets voluntary safety standards for the TV industry, can update the standards to specify that straps or anchors be sold with new TV sets, but presently have not taken any action on the issue and are focusing instead on increasing awareness. Overall, experts recommend any television in a home, whether an old or new model, such as a flatscreen, be anchored to prevent a dangerous child injury accident.
These recent TV tip-over accidents illustrate the need for families to be extra cautious with appliances and products when younger children are in the home. However, some products may pose a danger to a user regardless of the precautions he or she may take due to a manufacturing defect or flaw, which can result in serious injuries to an unsuspecting consumer. At the Bradley Law Firm, our skilled Chicago product liability attorneys are committed to helping IL residents obtain the compensation they deserve when they have been harmed by a dangerous or defective product. For a free consultation on your product liability claim, call (312) 252-1488.
