CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Police Department (CPD) wants the public to be aware of the risk of injury to children from falling objects.
Officers recently documented an incident involving a 40-inch television that fell off a dresser and injured two children. The children were not seriously harmed, but CPD has gathered information to help citizens prevent these types of accidents.
Public Information Officer Jim Knoll said injuries and fatalities associated with television, furniture, and product instability or tip-over are not uncommon. Based on a 2016 U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission Staff Study there were an annual average of 33,100 emergency department-treated injuries (2013-2015) and 489 reported fatalities between 2000 and 2015 associated with tip-overs. These injuries and fatalities were not limited to children.
The study showed injuries victims were: 52% under age 18, 38% between 18 through 59, and 10% were 60 or older.
The fatalities victims were: 84% children, ages 1 month to 14 months, 3% ages 28 to 59 and 12% ages 60 or older.
The injuries were caused involving: 61% furniture only, 36% involved TVs falling (including TV and furniture), and 3% appliances.
The Fatalities involved: 64% TVs falling (36% TV only, 29% TV + furniture), 29% furniture only, and 7% appliances
“It might be a good time to look around your home for potential hazards associated with TV, furniture, electronics, and appliance product instability or tip-over,” Knoll said. “Some of you or someone you know may have already experienced the misfortune of being hurt by product instability or tip-over.”
The following charts provide more safety information:
