Child safety is a must so secure your flat screen today
Whether it’s a 28”, 36”, a 40” or a whopping 60”, flat screen TVs are all the rage for being the centerpiece of the living room. And as the Olympic Games and London’s digital switchover approach together with new product launches and discounting old models, a buying frenzy of flat panel TVs is expected, with many of the older and often heavier sets relegated to children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
So, that’s one flat screen TV, standing on a shelf. Now imagine if that huge panel accidentally fell and the kids happened to be nearest? They could be left severely hurt.
A far-fetched scenario it may seem, but a fast becoming common one. There are now estimated to be over 30 million flat panel TVs in UK households, with roughly half sitting on a piece of furniture. The UK also has the highest penetration of large flat panel TVs in the world with more than one per household.
According to Rospa, four children have died in the last year, as a result of falling TVs and, Home Accident Database found that over 9,000 accidents in the last 12 months, occurred from poorly mounted flat screen TVs.
“Parents of young children wouldn’t think twice about fitting a stair gate, plug socket covers and a smoke alarm and yet they fail to buy a piece of kit which can anchor the television safely."
Now, TV wall mounting specialist Peerless-AV is calling on owners of large flat panel TVs to safely secure their TV set equipment to avoid accidents.
Gordon Dutch, MD of Peerless-AV Europe, said: “Even with screens becoming slimmer many larger sets still weigh in excess of 40kg, which if it was to fall edge first on a child the impact is the same as a hammer or metal pipe blow to the head.
“The move to put second TVs unsecured in children’s rooms is particularly worrying. Generally there is less space but far more movement, the huge success of the Wii and Connex and interactive family activity games has made physical activity around the TV a regular occurrence,” he said.
In almost all cases when a TV is placed on a piece of furniture it will remain unsecured and easily toppled by an overactive toddler or household pet.
“Small children are particularly at risk as they reach for remote controls or pull themselves up and climb using the TV. A recent US study showed that three quarters of TV screen injuries logged happen to children under seven and tip over accidents are up 40 per cent.
“Parents of young children wouldn’t think twice about fitting a stair gate, plug socket covers and a smoke alarm and yet they fail to buy a piece of kit which can anchor the television safely and prevent potentially life threatening accidents,” he added.
So what should you do that is cost-effective, efficient and most importantly provides safety? The Peerless AV – Stabilis screen safety kit has all the answers. It is an effective universal solution to secure a flat panel TV and protect families in the home. The kit has been manufactured and tested to prevent children pulling large screens forward on to themselves. 
The universal kit fits all LCD and Plasma screens from 32” to 60” with telescopic height adjustment. The kit rigidly clamps to all types and sizes of furniture and can be used to screw directly into a wall or cabinet. The rotational mounting plate allows the screen to swivel while the rigid design also prevents the screen tipping backwards as well as pulled forwards.
“Failing to adequately secure your TV can also result in a rather expensive mistake,” Gordon continues, “many people don’t realise that more often than not if your TV is knocked over by pets or children the insurer does not have to honour your claim. What’s more, a TV safety screen kit acts as a deterrent in a burglary.”
The Peerless AV – Stabilis TM screen safety kit costs £24.99 from John Lewis stores and online, Argos and Kiddicare.com.
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Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM