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We all know that toddlers are curious — that’s part of what makes them so adorable (and, okay, frustrating). And while curiosity is healthy, and a way for our little ones to learn about the world around them, they don’t always know what’s safe to explore. We cover outlets and sharp corners and latch cabinetry closed, but we don’t often think about securing our furniture too.
According to a brand new report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), though, we should definitely take precautions when it comes to stabilizing anything that could tip over. Roughly 18,000 Americans — nearly half of those were kids — were seen in emergency rooms in 2020 for injuries sustained by TVs, heavy furniture, or other appliances tipping over on them. And since 2020, there have been 581 tip-over fatalities in the U.S.; 4 in 5 of those deaths were children. It’s a sobering thought, but a reality that any parent of a curious toddler needs to address.
“People either don’t know about the risks, or they think it can’t happen when an adult is nearby,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric in a statement. “Most anti-tip-over kits cost less than $20 and can be installed in fewer than 20 minutes. We urge parents and caregivers to protect their children and families and make the time to secure heavy items in their homes.” The CPSC’s “Anchor It” campaign, designed to raise awareness and prevent these accidents, is in its seventh year.
A perfect example of an anti-tip-over kit is one that happens to be an Amazon Lightning Deal today: the Bebe Earth Furniture and TV Anti-Tip Straps. Easy to install and backed by a lifetime warranty, this 8-pack of furniture and TV straps are adjustable for a secure fit and come with all the reinforcement hardware you’ll need.
Even without a Lightning Deal, this is one child-proofing accessory that every household with a toddler should have. It’s a simple and affordable way to ensure that our kids won’t become a part of this sad, but preventable, statistic — and you can’t put a price on peace of mind.
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