TOPEKA — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a reminder that furniture tip-overs are one of the top-five hidden home hazards. Safe Kids Kansas director Cherie Sage said nearly 150 American children have been killed in the last five years. She said nearly 20,000 kids have been injured nationwide last year trying to climb up bookcases, shelves, dressers and other furniture which fell on them. If a piece of furniture is unstable or top-heavy, fasten it to a wall using brackets, screws or wall straps, she said. You should keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers, she said. Keep anything that might be tempting to a toddler out of sight. You should also tie up loose cords to keep young children from pulling appliances off counters, Sage said. For more information, check the web site www.usa.safekids.org.
