5 ON YOUR SIDE: Preventing furniture tip-overs

A tragedy at a Florida elementary school this month: A young student died after an interactive display board, similar to a flat-screen TV, fell on him in his classroom. This event is still being investigated, but we know that thousands of children are injured every year in tip-over incidents involving TV’s and furniture. Consumer Reports safety experts have advice on how to avoid a tragedy like this in your own home.

Every year, thousands of children are rushed to the emergency department after furniture, an appliance, or television falls on them. Tip-overs can happen when a child tries to climb, pull, or attempts to move furniture, large appliances, or televisions that are either unstable or not properly anchored to the wall.

TV mounts are sold according to the maximum weight and screen size. Just because two mounts can handle the same-siz...