Illinois AG Begins Safety Campaign on Tip-Over Accidents

February 5, 2013

The Illinois attorney general is launching a campaign to alert Illinoisans about the risk of furniture tip-over accidents.

The campaign comes in the wake of reports of children being injured and killed after climbing on unsecured furniture.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging families to follow a few guidelines to secure their furniture.

Parents should anchor furniture to the wall or floor and place televisions on sturdy, low-base stands. Cable and television cords must be kept out of reach of children.

Parents should also ensure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.

At least five Illinois children have died since 2011 in tip-over accidents. Officials say nearly 23,000 children under the age of 9 go to emergency rooms each year because of these accidents.