While parents often go above and beyond when it comes to safety devices on electrical outlets and child-proof locks on cabinets, often times they neglect to remember one of the most dangerous parts of their homes: the TV. According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 134 children died between 2000 and 2006 as a direct result of furniture and televisions falling on them. Another report by the Center for Injury Research and Policy, part of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, found that 264,200 children were injured between 1990 and 2007 due to furniture and television mishaps. Lara McKenzie, one of the study’s authors, said in a recent interview that injuries increased 40 percent over the study period and about half the injuries involved televisions. So why is there a rise in activity? Is it because of the parents, or is it the TVs? In many cases, the rise is attributed to families replacing older televisions with lighter, flat-screen models that can easily be tipped. In addition, many families are also keeping their old models, which can weigh up to 100 pounds, on furniture that may not be able to support the added weight. As a result, the furniture becomes unstable and it becomes more likely that the TV will fall should it be bumped or pulled accidentally by a small child. To prevent these injuries, parents are encouraged strongly bolt all television sets to furniture and to secure the furniture to walls by using straps or brackets in order to prevent them from falling and causing disaster. Remember, by taking the precaution now, you and your family can avoid the danger.