The Superbowl and National TV Safety Day

February 1st is the Superbowl, but did you know January 31st is National TV Safety Day?  Before the big game, whether you are hosting a Superbowl party or attending one, make the safety of that TV, be it new or old, your #1 priority! It might just save a life, perhaps that of your child!

Why it's important to secure your TV's
Start by watching  this short video
*  Every 45 minutes a child is seen in the emergency room because of a TV tip over.  A child dies every three weeks                because of a TV tip-over!  Check out this infographic.
*  71 children every single day are victims of a furniture, TV, or appliance tip-over.  Learn more here.
*  The average sized flat screen TV weighs the same as 3-4 bowling balls.  Imagine just one bowling ball falling on your       child's  head from 3 feet high.  Now imagine the damage something the weight of 4 bowling balls can do...  
*  ALL tip-overs are preventable.  It only takes a few dollars and about 20 minutes of your time to secure your TV's and     make your home and your child safer.  None of the parents of children who were injured or killed ever thought it               would  happen to them either.  Don't assume it can't or won't happen to you, because it can. 

How TV tip-over happens
*  Safe kids made this PSA about what every parent needs to know about TV tip-over 
*  Kids try to climb, often on the furniture on which the TV sits, to reach remote controls, DVD or video games, or just          to  see better.  
*  Kids may simply bump into a TV or the stand on which it sits while playing, causing it to become unstable and fall

Why it happens
*  Unsecured TV's and unsecured furniture is typically front and top-heavy.  It only takes a small amount of pressure           (from a climbing or even reaching child) to cause it to tip.  Momentum causes it to fall... too quickly to stop.
*  CRT (tube) or flat screen TV's are placed on inappropriately sized furniture, not made to hold it's weight or size,                 causing it to be unsafe and unstable, even if it looks as if it is safe
*  CRT (tube) TV's are often moved to a child's room or play area when they are replaced with a newer flat screen,                 where they are often not secured and placed on an inappropriate surface
*  Flat screens are mistakenly thought to be "too light" to cause damage if they tip

What you need to do to make your home and your TV safe
*  Replace old CRT (tube) TV's with a flat screen if you can.  
*  Recycle your old TV properly.  Electronic stores like Best Buy allow for free disposal or charge a small fee, usually               refunded in the form of a store gift card.  Do not place old TV's on the curb or donate them as they could be                           improperly used somewhere else and potentially injure or kill a child.  http://www.greenergadgets.org/ is another           recycling resource.  If you have a recycling center that takes TV's, cut the power cord so it cannot be reused before             disposing of it.
*  Mount your flat screen TV's directly on the wall if possible, using a wall mount appropriate for the size and weight of        your TV
*  If you cannot mount your TV directly on the wall, secure it (both flat screens or CRT (tube) TV's to the wall using TV      straps like the ones recommended here
*  Check to be sure the unit on which the TV sits is low and stable (and all furniture for that matter) is properly secured        to the wall.


If you don't think it's necessary to secure your TV's, please read these FAQ's before you decide. 


Enjoy both the football game and the commercialbowl!