QLD: Warning on furniture tumble risks

Published

26 Oct 2012

The Office of Fair Trading has renewed its warning about the risks of unstable furniture and appliances following the tragic death of a child in Western Australia earlier this week (23 October).

The five-year-old boy was killed when a television fell on him in his home.

Acting Product Safety Manager Adrian Roudenko said parents and guardians needed to be aware of the risks of furniture and appliance stability injuries to children so they can make their homes safer.

“According to Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit figures, 180 children under 5 years of age are taken to Queensland emergency departments each year with furniture or appliance related injuries,” Mr Roudenko said.

“Most of these accidents occur when children climb and tip furniture or appliances over, climb on furniture and fall, or push or pull items over.

“Tip-over injuries alone account for an estimated 115 emergency presentations a year, and the most common problems are the family television or the cabinet it sits on.”

Mr Roudenko said the Office of Fair Trading had produced a short film, Climb, tumble and fall – steps to furniture safety, to raise awareness of the issue and help parents and guardians protect their children from this type of injury.

“Climb, tumble and fall – steps to furniture safety, contains practical advice to help parents make their homes safer,” he said.

“The film shows how to test the stability of furniture in the home or shops, and to secure less stable furniture and appliances to make them safer.

“It also gives advice on how to make the area around furniture safer and avoid tempting curious children to climb on furniture in the first place,” he said.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family of this young boy, and we hope increased awareness of this issue prevents this happening to other Australian families.”

Climb, tumble and fall – steps to furniture safety is available on the Office of Fair Trading’s YouTube Channel or via www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

For more information on product safety visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).