The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that between 2000 and 2010, there were at least 245 deaths related to tip-overs of furniture, televisions or appliances among children ages 8 years old and younger. Ninety percent of the deaths involved children younger than 6. In 2011, the CPSC identified the issue as one of the top hidden home hazards.
“Kids can be seriously injured or killed as a result of climbing onto, falling against or pulling themselves up on shelves, bookcases, dressers, TV tables and other furniture,” said Julie Wheatley, Safe Kids Vigo County coordinator.
CPSC data also show that between 2008 and 2010 there were 22,000 injuries associated with product instability or tip-overs involving children younger than 9.
“If a piece of furniture is unstable or top-heavy, fasten it to a wall using brackets, screws or wall straps,” Wheatley said. “Don’t keep remote controls, candy or other tempting items on unstable stands or tables. A child might be enticed to reach for the top and pull down the object, the stand or both.”
Wheatley recommends homeowners keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers, tie up loose cords, teach children not to climb or jump on furniture and push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand. Over the last decade, 60 percent of tip-over fatalities involved a television.
“These are not hazards that kill hundreds of children every year, like vehicle crashes or drowning, but they are so easy to prevent, and the consequences can be so severe,” Wheatley said. “Don’t underestimate the possibility of a small child being crushed by unsteady furniture.”
For more information about home safety, call 812-232-5190 or visit www.safekids.org.
Health & Fitness
Safe Kids coordinator warns of tip-over accidents
- Health & Fitness
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic
Another free Dine with a Doc lunch event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Support Groups: May 15, 2013
Cancer Friendship Group, featuring a journaling workshop with therapeutic writer Nia Klein, 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, conference room B, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center; 217-465-2606, ext. 290.
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Protect yourself from skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday was designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
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Paris Hospital Volunteers' chocolate sale is May 23-24
The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will sponsor a South Bend Chocolate Company sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24 near the FMC rotunda entrance.
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Stay safe during flooding with tips
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop over the course of a few weeks or happen quickly.
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Support groups: May 8, 2013
Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors Inc.,
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Journal writing workshop coming up at Paris hospital
Therapeutic writer Nia Klein will conduct a journal writing workshop at the Cancer Friendship Group meeting at 10 a.m. May 21 in conference room B at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Church to sponsor blood drive
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday in Fellowship Hall at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Walk to bring hope to bereaved families, awareness
Compassionate Friends of the Wabash Valley are sponsoring a “Walk to Remember,” to support families after a child dies, from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park.
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Dine with a Doc to feature ISU professor
A free Dine with a Doc event, featuring Lisa Borrero Ph.D., is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence Housing Corp. All Place in West Terre Haute.
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Free Vial of Life kits available in Paris
In recognition of National Hospital Week in May, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will provide free Vial of Life kits to the community.
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Free Zumba Gold presentation offered
The Maple Center for Integrative Health and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offer a free presentation on Zumba Gold by Cathleen Drobny from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in Westminster Village at 1120 East Davis Drive.
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Senior Menu: April 24, 2013
Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at all senior citizens dining sites in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Putnam counties.
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Child Passenger Safety Tech course coming up
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course for child passenger safety will be conducted from 8 AM to 5 PM on May 2, 3, 10, and 11.
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Health briefs: April 24, 2013
‘Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage’ presentation set for May
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Crawford County Triathlon slated for May 25
Lincoln Trail College and Ecton Hardware are hosting the Crawford County Triathlon on May 25 at the college.
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April 26 sharing session to be therapeutic for Parkinson’s patients
Strength in numbers.
That concept underlies the theme of a gathering Friday, April 26 in Westminster Village. People afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and friends and family who care for those ailing folks, will share their stories of their struggles and successes with the progressive disorder that touches more than 1 million American lives. -
Get a hair cut and health screenings all in one stop
Visiting the barber shop today could mean more than just getting a haircut; it might save your life.
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Dine with a Doc to feature Dr. Roland Kohr
Another Dine with a Doc event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Providence Housing Corporation All Place, 219 North Providence Place, West Terre Haute.
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Hunter education course scheduled this weekend
An Indiana Hunter Education Course is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Good Hope Baptist Church, 440 W. County Road 850 S., in Clay City.
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Hospice hosting ‘Run and Remember’ fundraiser
Hospice of the Wabash Valley will be hosting a “Run and Remember” fundraising event at 11 a.m. Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
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Disability Awareness Month events planned
Bridges of Indiana has planned two events in March to celebrate Disability Awareness Month.
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Newsmaker: Feb. 20, 2013
Plastic Surgery Practice has announced its new Editorial Advisory Board for 2013. The 12-member board includes several past members and many new names.
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Study: Family mealtime can improve kids’ health
When low-income families devote three to four extra minutes to regular family mealtimes, their children’s ability to achieve and maintain a normal weight improves measurably, according to a new University of Illinois study.
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Zumba for Kid Kare Project fundraiser on March 2
Zumba with Chelsea Martin, a Kid Kare Project fundraiser, is scheduled 1 to 2 p.m. March 2 in the Community Recreation Center at 301 Blackman St. in Clinton.
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Hip implants a bit more likely to fail in women
Hip replacements are slightly more likely to fail in women than in men, according to one of the largest studies of its kind in U.S. patients.
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Support Groups: Feb. 20, 2013
For more information and/or sites, contact the numbers listed.
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Additional CHIP info session today
The Maple Center for Integrative Health has added an additional CHIP information session before the start of class on March 4.
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Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies workshop set
A free workshop for health care providers, social service professionals and other health advocates, Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies in Terre Haute, is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 14 in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education.
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Plans under way for Clark County Biathlon
Plans for the Clark County Spring Break Biathlon 3.1-mile run/15-mile bike plus the 1-mile fun run/walk are under way.
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