TV and Large Furniture Tip-Over Dangers
More than 100 Deaths Reported Since 2000, Most Involve Young Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of televisions and heavy furniture tipping over and killing young children. The number of TV tip-over deaths reported to CPSC during the first seven months of 2006 is twice the typical yearly average.
“There are usually five deaths reported to CPSC each year caused by televisions tipping over onto young children, but we are aware of 10 deaths already in 2006,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “We are issuing this warning so parents will take the necessary steps to prevent any more of these tragedies.”
These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks and chests. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
From 2000 through 2005, CPSC has reports of 36 TV tip-over-related deaths and 65 furniture tip-over deaths. More than 80 percent of all these deaths involved young children. Additionally, CPSC estimates that in 2005 at least 3,000 children younger than 5 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV tip-overs.
Industry standards require that TV stands, chests, bureaus and dressers pass a stability test. If a piece of furniture violates these standards, the product can be subject to a safety recall.
To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to the wall all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.
Place televisions on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise base.
Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.
Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach children not to play with the cords.
Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.
To download CPSC’s new safety alert “Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths,” visit cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5004.pdf
Video Feed Satellite Coordinates (C-Band)
The Video News Release is being broadcast featuring soundbites by Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord, soundbites in Spanish, B-Roll of demonstrations of furniture and TV tip-overs and safety tips.
Wednesday, September 13
10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Satellite: IA 6
Transponder 15
Downlink frequency: 4000 Vertical
Audio 6.2 & 6.8
Technical Information DURING FEED ONLY, contact Pathfire Customer Care @ 1-888-345-0489 or e-mail support@pathfire.com.
To see this release on CPSC’s Web site, please go to: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06254.html
Recall of Children’s Cooking Set
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: ALEX Super Cooking Sets
Units: About 4,200
Manufacturer: Panline USA Inc., doing business as ALEX, of Northvale, N.J.
Hazard: The glass pot lids can break, posing a laceration hazard to children.
Incidents/Injuries: ALEX has received a report of a 2 ½ -year-old girl who cut her foot from the broken glass from one of the lids. The cut required stitches.
Description and Models: This recall involves children’s Super Cooking Sets, a 12-piece stainless steel set with miniature pots that have clear glass lids. Each set comes with a pasta pot with glass lid, stockpot with glass lid, frying pan, two potholders and utensils. The cooking sets were sold in a white box with a clear plastic window. “ALEX” and “Super Cooking Set” are printed on the box. A red sticker labeled “unbreakable glass” is affixed to the pot lids. Cooking sets manufactured after April 1, 2006 have stainless steel lids and are not included in this recall.
Sold at: Discount department and specialty toy stores nationwide from September 2005 through April 2006 for about $20.
Manufactured In: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the glass lids away from children immediately and contact ALEX to receive a free replacement lid set.
Consumer Contact: For more information, call ALEX at (800) 666-2539 from 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at recall@alextoys.com
To view this release online, please go to our web site at: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06226.html
Recall of Humidifiers for Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Warm Mist CareFree Humidifier
Units: About 29,000
Manufacturer: Hunter Fan Co., of Memphis, Tenn.
Hazard: Water from the humidifier can leak into the unit’s electrical compartment posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Hunter has received four reports of incidents involving the humidifier, including one report of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Description and Models: The recalled humidifiers are white or black plastic with blue or green tinted water tanks. “Hunter” and “NiteGlo” are printed on the humidifier. The model numbers and tank size included in this recall are listed below. The model number is located on a white label on the bottom of the humidifier.
Model Size
Description
35201 CareFree(r) Humidifier Warm Mist 2.0 Gallon
White plastic with a blue
tinted water tank
35202 CareFree(r) Humidifier Warm Mist 2.0 Gallon
White plastic with a blue
tinted water tank
35203 CareFree(r) Humidifier Warm Mist 2.0 Gallon
White plastic with a green
tinted water tank
35207 CareFree(r) Humidifier Warm Mist 2.0 Gallon
White plastic with a blue
tinted water tank
35253 CareFree(r) Humidifier Warm Mist 2.0 Gallon
Black plastic with a blue
tinted water tank
Sold at: Lowe’s, Linens N Things, discount stores, and hardware stores nationwide, as well as catalogs and on various Web sites, from September 2005 through February 2006 for between $50 and $65.
Manufactured In: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled humidifiers and unplug them immediately. Contact Hunter Fan Co. to receive a free replacement part.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Hunter Fan Co. toll-free at (866) 818-7609 anytime, or log onto the firm’s Web site at www.hunterfan.com
To view this release online, please go to our web site at: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06215.html
