In a particularly cruel manifestation of the Law of Unintended Consequences, even though those new big-screen LCD-TVs are safer for children than older cathode ray tube TVs, the number of children’s deaths resulting from falling televisions is up.
There are a number of reasons that big-screen LCD-TVs are safer than older TVs — LCD-TVs are not as front-heavy, and are often mounted securely to the wall with the electrical cords hidden from view. Also, there aren’t any obvious knobs or buttons on the front of the TV for a curious child to pull at.
All well and good.
But sadly, it turns out that displaced CRT-TVs are finding new homes on top of rickety tables or chests of drawers, where they are poised for disaster.
I’m a big fan of continuing to use outdated electronic equipment, rather than adding it to the landfill.
But in this holiday season, if you’re lucky enough to score a new LCD-TV or computer monitor, please, please, please find a safe place for the old one.
Tags: Child Safety, CRT-TV, LCD-TV, Parenting