Safety in the home is of the utmost importance, especially in households with small children and elderly ones. So many injuries are reported each year due to accidents that have taken place in the home. Isn’t it a good idea, then, to periodically do a safety risk assessment of your property? In this blog, we are going to consider one of those safety concerns, tip-over risks.
Before you even decide on a piece of furniture to buy it’s good to analyze how safe it will be in your home. Furniture pieces that have a wide, sturdy base are a good option as they do not tip over as easily. To reduce a tip-over risk even further, try to keep heavier items on the lower shelves or in the bottom drawers of a furniture item.
Flatpack or self-assembly furniture is very popular nowadays. Depending on the furniture item, they will usually come with a bracket or strap so that they can be firmly attached to the wall. It is important that you use these brackets or straps as they are included specifically to prevent tip-over hazards.
Many televisions are attached to the wall these days but if yours sits on a tv stand it could become a tip-over risk. Keep the television on a unit that sits low to the ground and position it farther back on the unit. Any electrical cables should be hidden away from small children who will grab them the first chance they get.
Lastly, keep any items that you don’t want small children getting hold of well out of sight. Even if an item is out of reach a child is quite likely to climb on furniture that is at risk of tipping in order to obtain it.
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