A child climbing drawers like stairs or pulling on a TV can bring the whole thing down. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports 592 deaths from furniture, TV and appliance tip-overs in 2000–2021, 81% of them children under 18. Of 482 children who died, 426 (88%) were under 5, and a falling TV was involved in 70% of child deaths. Tip-overs sent an estimated 19,400 people a year to emergency departments in 2019–2021, and 93% of TV tip-over injuries were to the head. CPSC’s first tip is to anchor TVs and furniture to the wall.
1. Anchor TVs, bookcases and dressers to the wall — if you can’t, put the TV on a sturdy, low base, pushed back.
2. Nothing tempting on top; heavier items on lower shelves.
3. 592 deaths in 2000–2021; TVs in 70% of child deaths — 19,400 ER injuries a year (US, 2019–2021).
Checker
Updates as you choose. The five checks are CPSC’s consumer tips; CPSC adds that adults should keep supervising even when TVs and furniture are anchored.
What CPSC reports
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 592 in 2000–2021; 81% children under 18 | — |
| Children | Of 482 child deaths, 426 (88%) under 5; a falling TV in 70% | 426 ÷ 482 = 88% (our check) |
| Injuries | About 19,400 ER-treated injuries a year, 2019–2021; 93% of TV tip-over injuries to the head | About 53 a day (our sum) |
| Law and standards | The STURDY Act became law in December 2022, requiring a tip-over standard; in October 2022 CPSC approved a stability testing and labelling standard for clothing storage units | No effective dates in this release |
What to do — CPSC’s seven tips
| If | What to do | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| TVs, bookcases, dressers | Anchor securely to the wall | Check the fittings and wall (ours) |
| A TV you can’t anchor | On a sturdy, low base, pushed back as far as possible | — |
| Toys and remotes | Not where kids might climb to reach them | On top of TVs and dressers |
| Heavy items | Lower shelves and drawers | — |
| New TV | Consider recycling the old one; if moved to another room, anchor it there too | — |
| Cords | TV and cable cords out of children’s reach | — |
| Supervision | Keep supervising even when things are anchored | — |
All the figures are US data. Dividing 19,400 ER injuries by 365 gives about 53 a day (our sum). The release came out before a big televised game in February 2023, hence the TV focus, but the tips cover bookcases and dressers too.
Holiday decorating is in holiday decorating safety; home emergency prep in home emergencies.
Checklist
- ☐ TVs, bookcases and dressers anchored
- ☐ A low, sturdy TV base
- ☐ Toys and remotes off furniture tops
- ☐ Heavy things low
- ☐ Re-anchor after moving rooms or house
Questions that remain
What about wall-mounted TVs?
The release deals mainly with TVs on bases and furniture; it gives no wall-mount rules.
Korean figures?
These are CPSC’s US figures; check Korean child-safety statistics separately.
Sources
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Plans to Watch the Big Game on the Big Screen? CPSC Reminds Families to Protect Children from the Deadly Hazard of Toppling TVs and Furniture — source (news release, 9 February 2023; checked 21 October 2026). 592 deaths and 81% (2000–2021), 426 of 482 (88%) under 5, TVs 70%, 19,400 a year (2019–2021), 93% head injuries, the STURDY Act (December 2022), clothing storage standard (October 2022), seven consumer tips.
- Not read. The STURDY Act standard’s effective date and details; Korean statistics.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean everyday gloss.
Where to check further
- The furniture or TV manual — anchoring kits and installation.
Written on 21 October 2026. The content is from the source; the glosses are ours.
