Ensuring TV Safety with BDI Safety Straps
Watching young children explore their surroundings brings immense joy to parents. However, as they grow more independent, their curiosity leads them to explore everything around them, including potentially dangerous objects. While baby gates and safety latches are crucial for childproofing your home, it’s equally important to safeguard your child from toppling hazards like televisions.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, TV tip-overs pose a significant risk, with an estimated annual average of 15,400 children treated in emergency rooms for injuries resulting from tip-overs. Most of these incidents involve children between 2 and 3 years old, making it imperative to take proactive measures to prevent such accidents.
Making Screen Time Safe
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends several strategies to prevent TV tip-overs. First and foremost, televisions should only be placed on furniture explicitly designed to support them, such as TV stands or media centers. Avoid using unsuitable furniture like trunks or dressers, which can be easily climbed by children.
Mounting flat-screen TVs to the wall is another effective safety measure. Alternatively, anchor them securely to the wall or furniture using safety straps to minimize the risk of toppling over.
BDI’s Commitment to Safety
Recognizing the importance of preventing TV tip-overs, BDI includes TV Safety Straps with all its media furniture. The BDI TV Safety Strap is designed to tether a flat-panel or curved TV, utilizing the built-in mounting holes provided by most manufacturers. These straps ensure the secure attachment of the TV, reducing the risk of tip-over accidents.
Since the Fall of 2015, BDI has been incorporating TV Safety Straps with its media cabinets. If you own a BDI media cabinet without a TV Safety Strap and wish to obtain one, our Customer Service team will gladly provide it to you free of charge.
While safety straps are an essential preventive measure, they do not guarantee 100% safety. Therefore, we recommend additional safety precautions to protect your children:
- Install stops on all cabinet doors and drawers.
- Keep heavier items on lower shelves or drawers to prevent furniture from becoming top-heavy.
- Store remote controls out of reach and sight to deter children from climbing.
- Use outlet protectors, power strip covers, and wire guards to reduce the risk of electric shock.
- Extend safety measures beyond your home by discussing childproofing options with relatives or caregivers where your child spends time.
By taking these proactive steps, we can collectively ensure the safety and well-being of our children in and outside the home.
