Nearly every household in the United States owns at least one television. But many families may be unaware of the injury risks televisions pose to young children.
A study in the August 2013 issue of Pediatrics (published online July 22), "Television-Related Injuries to Children in the United States, 1990-2011," found that more than 17,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for a TV-related injury, equaling one child every 30 minutes.
Injuries caused by falling TVs accounted for 12,300 injuries among children under age 18 in 2011, which was a 125% increase from the number in 1990.
Almost half – 46 percent – occurred from a TV falling off a dresser or armoire, with another 31 percent falling from an entertainment center or TV stand.
Don't let your child become one of these horrifying statistics.
Special guest, Dr. Gary Smith, shares ways to safeguard your home and children from falling TV sets.
Selected Podcast
Warning: Your TV CAN Fall On Your Child
Featuring:
Dr. Gary Smith is Professor of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology at the Ohio State University. He holds the Dimon R. McFerson Endowed Chair in Injury Research and is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine and general preventive medicine and public health. He is founder and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and is president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance. Dr. Smith has been an active researcher and advocate in the field of injury prevention for more than 30 years, and has more than 130 injury-related peer reviewed publications focusing on prevention of injuries to children and adolescents.
Dr. Gary Smith, MD
Dr. Gary Smith is Professor of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology at the Ohio State University. He holds the Dimon R. McFerson Endowed Chair in Injury Research and is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine and general preventive medicine and public health. He is founder and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and is president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance. Dr. Smith has been an active researcher and advocate in the field of injury prevention for more than 30 years, and has more than 130 injury-related peer reviewed publications focusing on prevention of injuries to children and adolescents.