More children being hurt by falling furniture
From dressers to television stands, an alarming number of children are seriously hurt – even killed by falling furniture. A new study released Monday reveals the problem has increased 41 percent over 18 years.
Posted — UpdatedFrom dressers to television stands, an alarming number of children are seriously hurt – even killed by falling furniture. A new study released Monday reveals the problem has increased 41 percent over 18 years.
"I think of Katie all the time. Every second of every day, I think about her," mother Judy Lambert said.
Lambert's 3-year-old daughter, Katie, was killed by a falling wardrobe.
"I ran and got to the room in a second or two and I didn't see Katie. I saw the mirrored wardrobe was smashed into a thousand pieces and she was underneath," Lambert said.
Erin Kaiser's 18-month-old daughter, Chloe, was crushed by a TV.
"My husband and I ran into the bedroom and picked up the television (and) all we could see were her hands and feet. She wasn't responding at all," Kaiser said.
"Michael climbed up to the top of the dresser, grabbed onto the TV, and Julianne, my daughter, climbed on the drawers of the dresser," Shawn Stevenson, father of victim.
The solution is easy, only put televisions on very heavy and stable furniture that has no drawers. No matter what size TV you have, push it back from the edge of the furniture so that it is as close to the wall as you can get it.
Also, attach furniture to the wall, most new pieces come with wall brackets but few people use them.
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