Help prevent heavy household items from falling and seriously injuring your children when you move. It’s extremely important for parents of young children to anchor and stabilize their furniture, appliances, televisions, and the like to prevent tip-over accidents when they pack and move to a new location. Thousands of children under age 18 end up getting emergency treatment each year because of tip-over accidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
As parents well know, young children enjoy climbing around the house to reach for their games and toys, which can be dangerous. The tip-over accidents also happen when kids play near, kick, pull, or hit weighty household items like dressers, bureaus, chests, ovens, TVs, stoves, and tables.
To help avoid tip-over accidents, follow these safety measures:
- Stabilize furniture by anchoring it to the floor or wall.
- Mount or anchor TVs to the furniture or wall, and only place them on furniture specially made to hold them. TVs should be on low, sturdy, bases. Keep the TV as far back on the furniture as you can.
- Secure and tuck away TV and cable cords to keep kids from pulling down electronic appliances.
- Refrain from putting items that tempt young children (toys, games, remotes, candy) on the tops of large appliances like stoves, furniture, and high shelves.
- Utilize wall brackets for securing tall items like bookshelves, stoves, dressers, entertainment systems, fish tanks, and art sculptures. Freestanding kitchen stoves and ranges should be installed with anti-tip brackets for safety.
- Teach your children about safety around the house, including the importance of not climbing, kicking, and pulling on TVs, appliances, and furniture.
- Always remain vigilant and supervise young children when moving, as well as once you’ve moved into your new residence. Better yet for moving day, keep kids out of the way and arrange for playdates and sleepovers.
A Mother’s Touch Movers, which has served Brevard County for decades, offers hassle-free packing and moving services, flexible scheduling every day of the week, and licensed, bonded, and insured movers. Contact us today for a free estimate and to schedule your move!
