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Toppling TVsTelevision sets (TVs) are part of most Canadian households, and children spend considerable amounts of time in proximity to them. Apart from the effects of excessive television viewing, TVs also pose a potential physical hazard to children. Most of the mass of a TV set is concentrated at the front, so the sets may be inherently unstable. They are likely to tip forward if they are improperly supported, are collided with or climbed upon. As TV sets become larger and heavier (an average 27-inch set weighs 36 kg, and a 36-inch set is 80 kg, on average), the hazard of serious injury increases. In September 2001 there were 735 cases of TV tip-overs in the CHIRPP database for children aged 0-9 years. Almost three-quarters of the incidents involved children between 1 and 3 years old. One-third of the records involved a tip-over due to an impact with the TV or the support. In cases for which information about the type of support was known, half involved simple TV carts or stands, 20% were entertainment units, and 16% were dressers. Over three-quarters of the children sustained either a lower extremity or a head/face/neck injury (see Figure). Face and head injuries were four times more frequent than the average for CHIRPP. Of the lower extremity injuries, 83% were below the knee. Half of the head/face/neck injuries were to the face, and there were 13 skull fractures, 11 concussions and one intracranial injury. Overall, 7% of the children were admitted to hospital. Injuries Due to TV Tip-overs CHIRPP Database, Children Ages 0-9 years
* includes cases of multiple or systemic injuries [Previous] [Table of Contents] [Next]
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Last Updated: 2002-11-13 |  |
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