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Patty Ritchie
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, December 29, 2015
CONTACT: Sarah Compo, (315) 782-3418, (315) 783-6606 (cell), compo@nysenate.gov
https://www.scribd.com/doc/294230911/RITCHIE-DINOWITZ-ANNOUNCE-BILL-TO-PROTECTCHILDREN-FROM-TIP-OVER-DEATHS-SIGNED-INTO-LAW
RITCHIE, DINOWITZ ANNOUNCE BILL TO PROTECT CHILDREN
FROM TIP OVER DEATHS SIGNED INTO LAW
New Law Inspired by Incidents in Upstate New York
Where Children Were Killed by Falling Furniture, Television
State Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz are announcing their legislation to protect
children from tip over incidents involving heavy pieces of falling furniture or televisions has been signed into
law. The measure was inspired by incidentsone of which occurred in Ogdensburg, the other in Syracuse
where two children were killed by a falling dresser and a falling cabinet and television, respectively.
Under the new law, the states Consumer Protection Division will be required to develop a public awareness
campaign about the danger, and the need to anchor to floors or walls heavy furniture that could fall or be pulled
down by a child. According to recent statistics, every two weeks a child in the United States dies as a result of
tip over incidents and, every 24 minutes a child is admitted to the emergency room due to furniture or television
that has fallen on them.
As a mother and grandmother, I know theres nothing more important than making sure children are safe,
especially in our homes, said Senator Ritchie.
Many people simply dont realize that heavy itemslike televisions, dressers and other types of furniture
present a very real danger for children who are tempted to climb on or play nearby them. Through this new law,
we can make sure that more parents are made aware of the importance of needing to protect their children from
heavy items in their home that could easily fall over and do harm.
Weve all seen the news stories that tell of the tragic incidents where children are hurt, or even worse, killed by
a piece of falling furniture or a heavy television, said Assemblyman Dinowitz.
By requiring the state to create a public awareness campaign focused on tip over deaths, were increasing the
likelihood that parents will take the necessary steps to prevent any future tragedies caused by toppling furniture
or televisions.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 430 deaths were attributed to tip over
incidents from 2000 to 2013, with 84 percent involving children under the age of nine. In addition, according to
a new report in the Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics, an increase in television sales has resulted in an uptick
in head injuries due to their tipping over. Between 2006 and 2008 there were 16,500 injuries and between 2008
and 2010 there were 19,200.
To prevent injuries caused by tip over incidents the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends
taking the following steps:
Make sure your furniture is sturdy and dont place televisions or large items on top of anything that cant
handle heavy weights;
Utilize mounts for flat screen televisions to eliminate the risk of their tipping over;
Dont place toys or other items that might attract children on top of televisions or heavy pieces of
furniture; and
Set up restricted play areas for children that do not have any potential tip over hazards