The danger of heavy furniture or appliances falling on a child who climbs or pulls on them. Dressers, bookshelves, and TVs cause thousands of injuries every year. Anchoring furniture to the wall with anti-tip brackets is one of the most important childproofing steps you can take.
Related Terms
A strap or bracket that secures heavy furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs. Dressers, bookshelves, and TVs are the biggest risks. Most come with simple L-brackets or nylon straps that screw into the furniture and wall stud. You can get earthquake-rated ones for extra security.
A heavy-duty strap or bracket that secures a flat-screen TV to the wall or furniture to prevent it from falling. Even wall-mounted TVs can benefit from an additional safety strap. TVs falling on children cause thousands of injuries annually.
A fastener used to attach furniture straps or brackets to walls, especially drywall. For safety devices, always screw into wall studs when possible. Toggle bolts or other heavy-duty anchors work when a stud isn't available, but they're not as strong.
An L-shaped metal bracket that connects the top of a piece of furniture to the wall stud behind it. It's the most secure method for preventing furniture tip-overs. Many furniture retailers now include them for free with dressers and bookshelves.