There may be danger hiding inside your house in the most unsuspecting places.
Experts say 81 percent of tip-over deaths happen inside homes. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, a piece of furniture tipping over and landing on their child.
In fact, every 24 minutes, a child is sent to the emergency room by a falling piece of furniture or television, according to the federal government's watchdog agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Every two weeks, a child dies, the commission reports.
“Parents are always concerned about the light sockets and everything else. But I don't think they think about those furniture pieces that are in their homes,” says Rebecca Ritterbush, marketing manager with Nebraska Furniture Mart.
In the metro, back in 2012, a TV fell on a three month old and killed him. About a week later, the same thing happened and left the girl seriously injured.
“Be conscience of what you're putting on night stands or bookcases or dressers because if it's toys or anything a child is going to maybe want -- you know, they're probably going to be more inclined to climb on it,” Ritterbush says.
According to consumer experts, nearly 42 percent of tip-over deaths happen in the bedroom. And while the danger is real, the solution is simple.
Lots of the new furniture that you purchase will actually come with bracket systems that you can attach to the wall, Ritterbush says.
The marketing manager says child proofing has gotten easier.
But still needs more attention.
That’s why September is Baby Safety Month.
When furniture shopping, experts advise parents to look for pieces that have undergone rigorous testing, receiving certification like ASTM International, a global standards development organization.
