Every year in Australia, thousands of children are injured by furniture tip-overs, with TV stands and dressers being among the most common culprits. As parents and caregivers, understanding these risks and taking proactive safety measures can prevent serious injuries. This guide covers everything you need to know about creating a safe entertainment area for families with young children.
Critical Safety Information
Furniture tip-overs can cause fatal injuries to children. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recommends anchoring all furniture over 60cm tall to the wall, regardless of whether children are present in the home.
Understanding the Risks
Children are naturally curious and use furniture to pull themselves up and climb. What seems like a stable TV stand to an adult can become a tipping hazard when a toddler pulls on an open drawer or climbs on a lower shelf. The combination of a heavy TV on top and a child's weight on a drawer or door can shift the centre of gravity, causing the entire unit to topple.
Modern flat-screen TVs, while lighter than older CRT models, are still heavy enough to cause serious injury when falling. A 55-inch TV typically weighs between 15-25 kilograms. When combined with the weight of the falling furniture, the impact can be devastating.
Children aged 1-4 are at highest risk, as this is when they're mobile enough to climb but too young to understand danger. However, older children can also cause tip-overs by hanging on drawer fronts or rough-housing near furniture.
Choosing a Safe TV Stand
Safety starts with selecting the right furniture. When shopping for a TV stand for a family home, prioritise these characteristics.
Low and Wide Design
Units with a low centre of gravity are inherently more stable. Wide bases distribute weight better and resist tipping forces. Avoid tall, narrow entertainment centres in homes with young children, regardless of how stylish they may appear.
Solid Construction
Heavier furniture made from solid materials is generally more stable than lightweight flatpack options. While solid wood TV stands cost more, they provide better stability and durability. Check weight capacity ratings—units designed to support heavier loads are typically built more robustly.
Enclosed Storage
Open shelving allows children to access devices and climb. Enclosed cabinets with proper latches keep curious hands away from gaming consoles, cables, and other enticing items. Look for soft-close mechanisms that prevent little fingers from getting pinched.
Safety Features to Look For
- • Anti-tip wall anchor points or included straps
- • Rounded corners and edges
- • Soft-close doors and drawers
- • Sturdy, wide base design
- • Magnetic door catches that resist child opening
- • Tempered glass (if glass is present) rather than standard glass
How to Anchor Your TV Stand
Anchoring furniture to the wall is the single most important safety measure you can take. Here's how to do it properly.
Using Anti-Tip Straps
Anti-tip furniture straps are inexpensive and widely available at hardware stores and online. These straps typically have two parts: one attaches to the back of the furniture, and one attaches to the wall stud. When installed correctly, they prevent the furniture from tipping forward even under significant force.
To install, first locate wall studs using a stud finder. Never anchor to drywall alone—the anchors must go into solid timber studs to provide adequate holding strength. Attach one bracket high on the back of the TV stand and the other at the same height on the wall stud. Connect with the provided strap, ensuring minimal slack.
Securing the Television
Beyond anchoring the stand, also secure your TV to prevent it sliding off during a tip or earthquake. TV safety straps attach to the VESA mounting holes on the back of your television and anchor to the stand or wall. These straps are especially important for TVs placed on stands rather than wall-mounted.
Childproofing Your Entertainment Area
Beyond furniture stability, consider these additional childproofing measures for your entertainment zone.
Cable Management
Dangling cables are both a strangulation risk and an invitation for children to pull. Use cable covers, cord concealers, or route cables through wall-mounted raceways. Keep excess cable length coiled and secured behind the stand, out of children's reach.
Outlet Covers
The area behind entertainment units typically has multiple power outlets. Use outlet covers or switch to tamper-resistant outlets that require equal pressure on both slots simultaneously—something young children struggle to accomplish.
Cabinet Locks
Install childproof cabinet locks on any accessible doors. Magnetic locks are particularly effective—they're invisible from the outside and require a magnetic key to open. Spring-loaded latches and sliding locks work well but may be outsmarted by persistent toddlers.
Corner Protectors
Sharp corners at toddler height pose head injury risks. Apply soft corner protectors to all exposed corners and edges. Clear silicone options are less visually obtrusive than colourful foam alternatives if aesthetics concern you.
Consider Wall Mounting
For maximum safety, consider wall-mounting your television. This eliminates the risk of the TV falling from the stand entirely and removes the temptation for children to touch or climb toward an accessible screen.
Wall-mounted TVs should be installed high enough that children cannot reach them—typically at least 100cm from the floor to the bottom edge. Ensure the mount is properly secured to wall studs and rated for your TV's weight with significant safety margin.
Creating Safe Viewing Habits
Physical safety measures are essential, but supervising children around electronics remains important. Establish clear rules about not climbing on furniture, not touching the TV or devices, and keeping a safe viewing distance.
Create a designated viewing area with comfortable seating at a safe distance from the screen. This gives children a clear place to sit during screen time while keeping them away from the entertainment unit itself.
Key Takeaway
No childproofing measure replaces supervision. Even with all safety precautions in place, young children should never be left unsupervised in rooms with heavy furniture or electronics.
Regular Safety Checks
Safety isn't a one-time task. Regularly inspect your entertainment area for potential hazards. Check that anchor straps remain tight and secure—they can loosen over time, especially if the stand has been moved for cleaning. Verify that cabinet locks still function properly and haven't been damaged.
As children grow and their abilities change, reassess potential risks. A climbing structure that was out of reach for a one-year-old may be accessible to a three-year-old. Update your safety measures to match your children's developmental stages.
By implementing these safety measures, you can enjoy your home entertainment setup with peace of mind, knowing you've taken every reasonable precaution to protect your family.
Sarah Chen
Interior Design Consultant
Sarah is a qualified interior designer specialising in family-friendly residential spaces. She brings professional styling expertise to TV Stand Australia's recommendations.