WIREDGOV

With just days to go until the launch of the World Cup, RoSPA is challenging adults to ensure their flat-screen televisions are secure - to help protect young children from injury.   

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is raising awareness of the instability of flat-screen television sets, which can easily be pulled over by children, as fans prepare to watch host nation Brazil take on Croatia on Thursday (June 12).   

The number of children being injured by falling televisions is on the rise, accounting for more than 12,000 injuries among under-18s in 2011 according to a United States study - a 125 per cent increase since 1990.   

The study also showed that:

- Between 2000 and 2011, 215 children died from their injuries     

- Almost half - 46 per cent - were as a result of a TV falling off a dresser or a wardrobe, with another 31 per cent falling from an entertainment centre or television stand      

- Children under five years of age represented 64 per cent of all injured patients, with concussion, head and neck injuries the most common complaints.   

In the UK, RoSPA is aware of eight reported fatalities since July 2008, in which children, aged from six months to four-years-old, have died as a result of televisions falling on them.*   

Now the family safety charity is calling on adults across the nation to ensure their flat-screen televisions do not topple forwards during all the World Cup excitement.   

Errol Taylor, RoSPA’s deputy chief executive, said: “The World Cup promises some great memorable television moments and parents across the nation will be looking forward to watching the game and soaking up the party atmosphere - but spare a thought for your children’s safety in advance.   

“It is not uncommon for children to be killed and seriously injured from televisions which have fallen on top of them. As well as being unsteady on their feet, toddlers are extremely curious and attracted by colourful images, so keep them well away from your television sets. Avoid an unnecessary trip to A&E by following our top safety tips - and enjoy the tournament!”   

RoSPA advises that:   

- Free-standing, flat-screen televisions are placed on a wide, stable base (designed to accompany the television), to help reduce the risk of the screen toppling forwards  

- Anti-tip straps are fitted. Available from leading suppliers of child safety products in the UK, these are an easy, inexpensive and effective way of ensuring that your flat-screen television stays safely upright. Straps are designed to be attached to the rear of flat-screen televisions (and other types of furniture) and then tethered securely to brackets fixed to the wall

- As much as possible, children are kept out of the way while bulky, heavy objects such as televisions are being moved  

- Toddlers are discouraged from pulling themselves up by holding on to a television set or furniture on which a television sits

- If you are hanging your flat-screen television on a wall, take care to ensure it is fitted to a solid wall. Always check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for additional information about hanging your television on the wall.   

Despite record levels of A&E attendances, RoSPA is disappointed that the NHS doesn’t collect any data about the causes. This means the UK does not have a comprehensive record of what is likely to be a substantial number of British people injured by falling televisions. This, in turn, serves to highlight how crucial it is that the UK re-establishes a system for monitoring the causes of home and leisure accidents.   

Find out more about our Injury Data Campaign at www.rospa.com/about/currentcampaigns/injury-data/.   

*Two cases were reported to have involved flat-screen televisions; it is not clear whether the others involved flat-screens or bulkier sets.