From time to time it’s a good idea to go through your home and assess how safe it is. The reason is that, no matter how safe we try to keep our homes, accidents still happen. Among the accidents most common in the home, especially with young children, are tip-over risks. Let’s consider some ways you can prevent this from happening:
When you are shopping for a piece of furniture to buy, think of how easily it could tip over. For example, you may want to consider items with a sturdy, wide base which will make them bottom heavy. Additionally, to further stabilize a unit, store heavier items in the lower drawers or shelves of the unit.
It is common nowadays to purchase furniture items that you have to assemble yourself. Make sure you follow ALL the instructions that come with it as this type of self-assembly furniture generally comes with L brackets or straps which are designed to fix the item to a wall so that it does not tip over.
Televisions are high on the list of tip-over hazards. If the television requires a unit to put it on, choose one that is low to the ground and place the tv as far back as you can on it. Keep all attached electrical cables out of a child’s immediate grasp.
It is a good idea to keep any objects you do not want a child to have, not only out of their reach but also out of their sight as this will stop them from climbing on any unstable furniture to reach it.
Why not look through your home for potential tip-over hazards? This way you will be helping to ensure an accident-free environment.
