This terrible accident happened in a Chicago suburb just days ago but, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it’s just the latest of this type of incident. The CPSC reports that children are seriously injured or killed in “tip-over” accidents involving TVs, furniture and even appliances about once every two weeks.

Each year, “tip-over” accidents account for nearly 22,000 injuries in children under age 8, the CPSC reports. Most involve TVs, including lighter flat screen models, placed on a piece of furniture such as a chest, dresser or stand.

The saddest element of this story is that these accidents are nearly 100 percent preventable. Furniture anchors and TV straps capable of supporting hundreds of pounds are available in many home improvement and baby stores, and are readily found online.

Furniture anchors and TV strap childproofing devices are inexpensive, costing between $6 to $18, and are easily installed with strong adhesives, screws or a combination of the two.

Installed on both the TV and the furniture it’s sitting on, furniture anchors and TV straps dramatically reduce the most common accidents – TVs tipping off unstable furniture.

TVs aren’t the only tipping hazard parents should be aware of in the home. Here are some tips to help prevent injuries from similar dangers.

1. Children are often tempted to climb tall bookshelves or use dresser drawers as steps. These heavy pieces are very prone to tip, so install furniture anchors to prevent injuries.
2. On tall two-part furniture pieces such as china cabinets, secure the top section to the wall, not just to the base.
3. Be sure freestanding ranges and front-load dryers are secured to the wall or surrounding cabinetry. Children can open and climb onto the door, causing the appliance to tilt or topple. An appliance lock securing the door closed adds another degree of safety.
4. Whenever possible, mount flat screen TVs to the wall using mounting brackets.
5. Keep a close eye on children when traveling to friends and relatives homes where furniture and TVs are likely to be unsecured.

See & Print Our Free Childproofing Checklists: 

© Cyrus Cornell - Fotolia.com

Fire Prevention week is Oct 3-9, and it’s a great reminder to change the batteries in fire alarms and brush up on fire safety basics with the kids. In fact, the timing of Fire Prevention week is ideal – with winter and the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time to consider fireplace, space heater, cooking and candle safety. Did you know these are among the major causes of accidental home fires?

If you have kids in grade school, they may bring home fire safety materials provided by the National Fire Protection Association this week. This group offers some great information on preventing home fires and protecting your loved ones in case of a fire.

If your school doesn’t participate in the Fire Safety / Prevention Week program, you can still find plenty of information on their website’s Family & Kids section, including fire safety checklists, family escape plans, printable kid’s activities and more.

And if you (like most of us busy parents!) are thinking “Ugh, yet another safety-focused media event,” here are some startling facts that might encourage you to take a half-hour or so to discuss fire safety with your kids.

• Roughly eight people die in home fires every day.
• Fire departments respond to a home fire every 82 seconds.
• Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and injuries.
• Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths.
• Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths and fire injuries.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported fire by half.

The website also has some great tips on preventing burns and protecting little ones in the home and kitchen, along with cute videos featuring talking fire alarms. Hey… anything to get the kids interested in learning about fire safety!

Plus, here are a few our favorites for protecting children from common causes of accidental fires and burns.

Battery-Operated Candles are a Safer Flame-Free Option

Battery-Operated Candles

Flickering light without the open flame. Battery-operated pillar candles, tealights and votives make it easy to add candlelit ambiance without the worry of an open flame. Perfect for decorating safely around little ones!

Childproof Cooktops with Stove Guards

Stove Guards

Stove guards attach to the stove or countertop to keep little hands off burners and hot pots and pans securely on top of the stove.

**Fire safety statistics reproduced from NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week Web site, www.firepreventionweek.org.

Our Sensible Scents video takes a look at what you might want to look for, and some to avoid, when it comes to choosing kid-smart air fresheners for your busy family home.

Here’s a look at where — and how – school-related injuries occur and a few simple precautions you can take to keep your kids safe…

Playgrounds account for the majority of school-related injuries with falls from equipment making up more than half of these. Adequate playground surfacing – at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch or other loose-fill safety surface – that’s maintained throughout the year is proven to help prevent injuries from falls. Kids will be kids on the playground, and scrapes and bumps are just part of it, but adequate surfacing at your child’s school can really help minimize the risks.

Back-to-school time also increases kids’ risk of injury due to traffic, bicycles and school buses. Take a moment to review ALL basic traffic safety rules (just ignore eye-rolling) with your walkers, car riders and bicycle riders to ensure safe to-and-from school habits. Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet (buy a “cool” one if necessary – it’s cheaper than brain surgery!) and be certain that bike riders know and follow bicycle rules of the road. Bus riders should arrive at the bus stop early, know and follow the driver’s safety rules, walk several steps away from the bus upon exiting, and wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street.

Another effective preventative measure against traffic injuries is being organized and on time. Yes… easier said than done, but it’s true that when kids and parents rush to arrive at the last minute safety rules and caution can be forgotten. Kids dash across the street and parents roll through stop signs – that’s just how accidents happen. It’s a challenge, but adding 15 minutes to your morning routine can dramatically decrease the risks to your family and to others.

Clothing such as drawstring hoods and accessories like backpacks also account for several injuries each year – and have even been the reported cause in a few deaths. Drawstrings and backpack straps can become caught in bus or car doors, they’re a very real and dangerous hazard, especially for young kids. Remove or shorten drawstrings on younger kids’ garments and, once adjusted to size, cut loose or dangling backpack straps to help prevent these injuries.

Organized sports are another contributor to the tally of school-related injuries, but these don’t have to be “just part of the game.” Be fully aware of all risks, and make sure kids are properly conditioned and prepared for the physical demands of the sport, and that proper safety equipment is always used. Also ensure that the school’s sports program is prepared to treat emergencies during both practice and competition.

Kids will always be kids. Accidental scrapes, bumps, falls, and even a break or two are just a few of the things we signed on for as parents. But a little extra effort on the side of caution as the busy school year gets underway can be the difference between a simple band-aid fix and a run to the emergency room.

For more information on school-related injuries and preventative measures, see:  http://www.safekids.com/ ; http://www.cpsc.gov/

And visit our website, www.KidSmartLiving.com, for ideas on keeping family homes safe and organized… with style!

Step 1: Easy access hang-ups
“Big kids” love taking care of their own things and wall hooks are an ideal way to let them put up bags and jackets themselves. Select hooks or hook units with rounded, blunt hooks to prevent accidents, and securely install them within reach, a bit above the child’s eye level.

Step 2: Keep furniture where it belongs
Furniture-related injuries are a common hazard even for “big kids,” but easily prevented using simple furniture anchors. It’s a good idea to anchor any chest or bookshelf, short or tall, to the wall in kids’ rooms to prevent accidents from climbing — or from kid-initiated rearranging.

Step 3: Steer clear of windows
It’s still a good idea to place beds and other pieces away from windows even in “big kids” rooms. It’s just too easy to topple into the window when jumping on the bed or climbing on furniture to take a peek outside… and yes, they will do these things if given half a chance!

Step 4: Make closets kid-accessible
Keep kids off chairs and step stools in the closet by placing their much-used items in easy reach. If possible, hang closet rods lower so kids can reach them, or if closets have double rods, hang current-season clothes on the lower rod. If there’s room, add shelves or organizer cubes so kids can manage their clothes and toys themselves (mostly).

Step 5: Give them a break-free bedroom and bathroom
Breakables are still best avoided in kids rooms and bathrooms. If you have delicate decor or knik-knacks to display, consider out-of-the-way places like above-window shelving, and secure items with Quake-Hold Putty to keep them put. In the bathroom, choose accessories made of plastic, metal or acrylic to avoid the hassle and danger of breakage.

So, congratulations parents if you’re exiting toddlerhood! You’ve made it so far, and you should have no trouble keeping them safe until your next stop… Elementary School. You might want to brush up on your Algebra, I think they’re starting it in 3rd grade these days!

The National Fire Protection Association reports the number of home fires started by candles is on the rise. Three main factors contribute to candle-related house fires; unattended candles that are allowed to over-burn, candles placed near combustibles such as wall hangings, and children playing with lit candles.

Fortunately, some clever candle makers now offer safer display options for traditional and jar candles. Plus, worry-free alternatives like battery-operated candles have made great strides in appearance and styling in recent years. So it really is possible to enjoy candles, or the look of them, without the safety worries.

First things First — Basic Candle Safety
This almost goes without saying, but to be thorough…

• The first rule of candle safety is to never leave a burning candle unattended
• The second rule - do not position it near or under anything combustible, or where it can be tipped or knocked off a surface
• The third rule - keep them out, out, out of the reach of children

Other factors that will minimize fire danger include trimming the wick to about 1/4″ prior to lighting, and not overburning. For more burning safety tips, see the The National Candle Association’s Safety Page

The Kid-Friendliest Way to Burn Candles…

Get the Look Without the Worry using Flame-Free Candle Alternatives
Battery-operated candles have come a long way in the past few years. The best styles are crafted in real wax for a realistic glow and have a flicker-style light bulb that mimics a flickering flame. Most battery-operated candles come in pillar or votive styles, including realistic drip-rim designs and even scented varieties.

Another advantage of battery operated candles is that you can enjoy them wherever and whenever you want them — on the dinner or coffee table, outdoors on a windy day, on buffets or side tables, around paper decorations — and even around kids! While battery-operated candles certainly aren’t toys, they are the safest way to add ambiance without a flame to any space accessible by little hands.

Love the Burn? Try Wall-mounted Candle Sconces
Affixed to the wall and designed to keep votives, pillars and jars securely in place, candle sconces are an ideal out-of-reach solution. Install sconces with safe placement in mind; not in a tight or highly trafficked area, and far from drapery and other combustibles. Also, if you have small children, position sconces away from furniture so they can’t reach them by climbing.

Here’s a look at where and how school-related injuries occur and a few simple precautions parents can take to keep kids safe.

Playgrounds account for the majority of school-related injuries with falls from equipment making up more than half of these. Adequate playground surfacing – at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch or other loose-fill safety surface – that’s maintained throughout the year is proven to help prevent injuries from falls. Kids will be kids on the playground, and scrapes and bumps are just part of it, but adequate surfacing at your child’s school can help minimize the risks.

Back-to-school time also increases kids’ risk of injury due to traffic, bicycles and school buses. Review ALL basic traffic safety rules with your walkers, car riders and bicycle riders to ensure safe to-and-from school habits. Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet (buy a “cool” one if necessary… it’s cheaper than brain surgery!) and be certain that bike riders know and follow bicycle rules of the road. Bus riders should arrive at the bus stop early, know and follow the driver’s safety rules, walk several steps away from the bus upon exiting, and wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street.

Possibly the most effective preventative measure against traffic injuries is being organized and on time. Though easier said than done, it’s true that when kids and parents rush to arrive at the last minute, safety rules and caution can be forgotten. Kids dash across the street and parents roll through stop signs – that’s just how accidents happen. It’s a challenge, but adding 15 minutes to your morning routine can dramatically decrease the risks to your family and to others.

Clothing such as drawstring hoods and accessories like backpacks also account for several injuries each year – and even several deaths in the past. Drawstrings and backpack straps can become caught in bus or car doors, a very real and dangerous hazard. Remove or shorten drawstrings on younger kids’ garments and, once adjusted to size, cut loose or dangling backpack straps to help prevent these injuries.

Organized sports are another contributor to the tally of school-related injuries, but these don’t have to be “just part of the game.” Parents should be fully aware of all risks and make sure kids are properly conditioned, prepared for the physical demands of the sport, and that the proper safety equipment is always used. Also ensure that the school’s sports program is prepared to treat emergencies during both practice and competition.

Kids will always be kids. Accidental scrapes, bumps, falls, and even a break or two are just a few of the things we signed on for as parents. But a little extra effort on the side of caution as the busy school year gets underway can mean the difference between a simple band-aid fix or 32 stitches – or worse!

The following websites offer more information on school-related injuries and preventative measures: www.safekids.com www.cpsc.gov

You can avoid much of this stress – and many potential dangers – by doing a little preplanning with your host and taking along a few portable safety items for on-the-spot childproofing. Before you leave home, have a quick conversation with your host about ways to protect both your child and your host’s furnishings from each other. Remember, even seasoned grandparents may have fragile collectibles, dangerous houseplants or dangling drapery cords in child-accessible spots.

Though many safety issues cannot be solved without a full room-by-room overhaul, there are several things your hosts can do to alleviate some obvious hazards. Share this brief childproofing checklist with them and ask if they mind addressing any concerns prior to your arrival:

• Move fragile or breakable items to higher spots in the room.
• Move houseplants to out-of-reach areas. Even if nontoxic, leaves, flowers and berries can pose choking hazards.
• Remove tablecloths or table runners. These can be pulled off the table, taking accessories with them.
• Move the kitchen knife block to a high pantry or cupboard shelf.
• Wind up dangling drapery cords.
• Protect exposed electrical outlets
• Move or camoflauge exposed electrical cords
• Be aware of tippable tall or heavy furniture or electronics like heavy tv’s
• Move any medications, vitamins and hazardous kitchen and bathroom products to out-of reach or locked cabinets.

Upon arrival, take a few minutes to conduct a “safety check” before letting little ones explore this new, exciting world. Using portable devices, you can further childproof kid-safe zones and limit access to the more dangerous areas of your host’s home. Take along these handy portable safety items for temporary childproofing:

• Removable cabinet safety locks
• Electrical outlet caps
• Door handle covers or guards
• A pressure-mounted baby and toddler safety gate
• Finger-pinch door guards
• Drapery cord wind-ups and suction-style window and sliding door stoppers
• Removable toilet lock

Though temporary solutions are not the complete childproofing answer, addressing obvious, easily remedied safety concerns will help make your destination safer for your child and your visit more enjoyable for all.

It’s easy to achieve kid-smart style by choosing decorative accents designed in tip-resistant shapes and crafted in durable, break-resistant materials. Here are a few kid-friendly decorating tips to get you started…

Vases and Containers
To reduce tipping, select containers and accents that feature a substantial base and avoid top-heavy vases and floral arrangements. Square containers are naturally tip-resistant, (always check for sharp corners) and offer the added benefit of not rolling off the table if pulled over by curious hands, as do oval, oblong and rectangular shapes. Bowls and such that are wider at the bottom than the top are an ideal shape to resist tipping.

Bowls
Large, low wooden decorative bowls (not too heavy) can be a good selection as they tend to roll back to an upright position when upset. Also look for bowls comprised of straight sides, such as octagons, that inhibit rolling if turned on the side.

Look for Durable Materials
Wood, metal, polymer clay, fabric, woven and even glass-like acrylic containers and accents are available in a wide range of looks, and offer a safer and more durable alternative to glass and ceramic decor. When selecting accents that will be accessible by little hands, do check for sharp edges, corners or any loose weave, just to keep little ones safe.

Decorative Details to Keep Out-of-Reach

Handles
Containers with handles pose several problems. Handles just beg to be grabbed by little hands and make it easier to pull or carry a object, which creates potential for breakage and injury. Also, handles often are weak points on an object and are easily broken.

Footed Objects
Many wonderful containers sit atop tiny feet that lift the base an inch or so off the surface. These can pose a problem for two reasons; one, the space is the perfect invitation for little fingers to hook the object and give it a tug. Two, like handles, feet often are weak points on an object and are easily broken, and if broken off, can pose a choking hazard.

Twisted Wire and Wrought Iron
Open, curly-cue designs made from twisted wire and wrought iron are inviting spots to stick little fingers, and once hooked are easily pulled off a table. Plus, little fingers can get stuck or pinched in the tight spots where wires meet.

Top-Heavy Vases
Low, wide, roll and break-resistant shapes are the name of the game for tabletop décor accessible by curious hands. Elegant slim-footed vases should be displayed on an inaccessible shelf.

Shelves of every variety are a decorating and organizing staple that fulfill numerous roles throughout the home. Aside from how they look and how they’re used, most people don’t really give them a second thought… until a small child is introduced to the scene! Suddenly shelves are redefined as either a safety hazard — or a parent’s last resort for hands-off display

Here are several ways parents can address the safety issues posed by certain types of shelves, plus a few tips for adding stylish storage and display space to any room without adding safety hazards.

Safety First! Avoid Tipping, Climbing and Falls
Any tall or heavy wall unit should be secured the wall with easy-to-install furniture anchors.  Anchors or furniture straps secure the full unit and are effective in preventing dangerous tipping accidents — but safety concerns still remain. Often, the individual shelves are not secured and can be flipped or pulled out by a curious toddler, and shelves beginning at floor level just beg to be climbed! You can solve these problems — and add a decorative twist — in a number of ways…

Reconfigure Built-In and Full Wall Shelf Units
If the shelves are permanent in the unit, be sure to move fragile or hands-off items to higher levels, or out of the unit entirely if your child is prone to climb. Storing a selection of toys or kid-friendly decor on the lower two or three shelves may divert attention from the upper shelves and reduce the urge to climb. If shelves are removable, remove the lower two or three shelves, leaving an opening about three feet high at the bottom of the shelf unit. Create stylish storage with a mix of decorative storage boxes or baskets – these can even be used as stylish toy boxes – or add durable decor items.

Keep Decor and Fragile Items in Place with a Museum-Tested Solution
Keep fragile items displayed in upper shelves in place by securing them with Museum Gel or Quake-Hold Putty. This can help prevent tipping, falls and breakage if the unit is shaken, pushed or pulled. Multi-shelf units that mount directly to the wall are ideal for out of reach storage. Ready-made units are available in a variety of sizes and styles, or you can fashion a shelf unit using inexpensive bracket shelving materials found at any hardware store.
Add Smart Space with Wall-Mounted Shelves
If you don’t have enough space to display fragile decor out of your child’s reach, consider adding wall-mounted shelves or ledge-style shelves.

Style Tip: A secret to making less expensive bracket-style shelving more attractive is painting the brackets the same color as the wall on which they’re mounted. Then cover the shelves (unfinished wood or melamine) tightly in fabric, or attach a pre-made decorative edge using finishing nails and/or glue, then paint. Easy and decorative!

Ledge-Style Shelves Display Accents Out-of-Reach
Ledge shelves easily install directly to the wall, out of reach to eliminate climbing concerns. Ledge shelves are available in many sizes and styles to complement any decor, and add interest just about anywhere. Try one over a window; stagger, stack or align three on a spacious wall; create a tiered mantle by stacking two or three above your fireplace; or embellish the walls of a wide hallway with a collection of different styles and sizes.