Surge in toddlers hurt by toppling flat-screen TVs

RISING numbers of small children are being injured by large, flat-screen televisions toppling off furniture onto them, researchers have warned.

The growing popularity of ever larger and thinner TV sets means they are more likely to topple if disturbed by toddlers.

While modern LCD sets are far lighter than plasma screens and now outmoded heavy cathode ray TVs, they are also much less stable because of their size – often more than 55 inches across – and relatively thin depth.

Although they are likely to do less damage than older TVs if they do fall on a child, they are much more likely to topple in the first place.

Lower prices for big flat-screens mean that many homes now have sets in several rooms, making it difficult for parents to supervise young children constantly as they watch TV in different parts of the house.

The warning about the increasing risk to young children comes from researchers at the University of Toronto and St Michael’s Hospital in Canada. They looked at 29 studies from seven countries analysing TV- related head and neck injuries among children and concluded: ‘The frequency of these injuries has increased in the last decade, as TV sets have become increasingly large and more affordable in many countries.

‘In many cases the TV set is situated on top of a dresser or other piece of furniture that was never designed to hold a TV. Toddlers may try to climb the furniture to reach the TV set or objects on or nearby it.

‘Older children sometimes collide with the TV stand or furniture, causing the TV set to topple.’ Researchers said the injuries are ‘highly predictable and preventable’ because many of the flat screen TVs aren’t properly fixed to walls or stable bases.

Lead author Doctor Michael Cusimano said children between one and three-years-old are most susceptible to such injuries and are more likely to suffer severe injuries than older children.

Because toddlers are usually shorter than most TV stands, their head is most often the first point of contact when a TV falls.

The researchers found that 84 per cent of reported injuries occurred at home, with threequarters of the injuries not witnessed by adults.

He added: ‘Parents are getting busier and busier and don’t have as much time to supervise children, so it’s not surprising that these injuries are getting reported more often.’

The study also showed that children between two and five years old have significant exposure to TVs - spending more than 32 hours per week in front of the telly. Dr Cusimano has compiled a list to help protect children.

His safety recommendations include educating children, parents, teachers and medical professionals about the dangers of toppling TVs; avoiding placing toys or remotes on top of TVs; having manufacturers include instructions on how to safely secure TVs to walls or bases, and regulations on the kinds of support furniture and wall mounts used for TVs.

‘Parents are getting busier’