How to Keep Your Home Furniture Safe for Children

When we think about safety in the home, we often focus on sharp objects or electrical outlets. However, heavy furniture, appliances, and televisions can also pose serious risks, especially to young children. This blog post will guide you through key tips for securing your home to prevent injuries related to tipping furniture and appliances.

Table of Contents

1. Why Furniture and Appliance Safety Matters
2. Health Canada's Safety Guidelines
   1. Anchoring Furniture
   2. Television Safety
   3. Appliance Safety
3. Tips for Securing Your Home
   1. Choosing the Right Furniture
   2. Installing Anti-Tip Devices
   3. Proper TV Placement
4. Conclusion

Why Furniture and Appliance Safety Matters

Heavy furniture, appliances, and televisions can easily tip over if they are not securely fastened, posing a serious hazard to children who may pull or climb on them. According to Health Canada, tip-over incidents can lead to injuries or fatalities, especially among young children. Fortunately, these accidents are preventable with proper safety measures.

Health Canada's Safety Guidelines

Health Canada has outlined a series of guidelines for preventing tip-overs of furniture, appliances, and televisions. By following these recommendations, you can create a safer home environment for your children.

Anchoring Furniture

Securing tall and heavy furniture, such as bookshelves, dressers, and wardrobes, is crucial to preventing tip-overs. Use anti-tip brackets or straps to anchor these items to the wall. Always install the provided anti-tip devices when assembling new furniture.

Television Safety

Modern flat-screen televisions may seem lighter than older models, but they can still pose tipping risks. To prevent accidents:

• Mount televisions to the wall if possible.
• If mounting isn’t an option, place the TV on a low, stable piece of furniture.
• Ensure that the TV stand is wide enough to support the base of the television.

Appliance Safety

Large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines should also be anchored to prevent tipping. For stoves, use anti-tip brackets to secure them to the floor, and avoid leaving heavy objects or pots on the open oven door, as this can cause the appliance to tip forward.

Tips for Securing Your Home

Securing furniture and appliances in your home doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some practical tips to get started:

Choosing the Right Furniture

When buying new furniture, look for sturdy, stable pieces that are less likely to tip over. Avoid furniture with narrow bases and make sure items like bookshelves and dressers are balanced with heavier items at the bottom.

Installing Anti-Tip Devices

Anti-tip brackets or straps are easy to install and can make a huge difference in home safety. These devices fasten your furniture or appliances to the wall, providing extra security. Make sure the anchors are screwed into wall studs for maximum effectiveness.

Proper TV Placement

As mentioned earlier, the safest option is to mount your television on the wall. If this isn’t possible, use a stable piece of furniture that can support the weight of your television. Ensure that all cables are managed properly, so they do not become a tripping hazard.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of tip-overs in your home, creating a safer environment for your children. Remember to anchor your furniture and appliances, mount your televisions securely, and always choose stable furniture pieces that are less likely to tip.

References

For more detailed information, visit Health Canada's guide on furniture, appliance, and television safety.