OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Safety officials say that old box TV’s are not only out-of-date, but also, a major injury risk to young children.
The warning comes after a 3-year-old girl in Oshkosh died on Tuesday after having a TV fall on top of her.
“A TV had fallen on top of her. She was currently not breathing. She did not have a pulse,” says Officer Kate Mann, with the Oshkosh Police Department.
According to Mann, it happened on the 1800 block of Grove Street around 7 pm.
Few details have been released as the investigation continues, but Mann calls the incident a tragedy.
“It appeared to be an older, heavier TV,” she explains.
While that style of TV is less common, they still are inside some homes that have children.
“We do still see those big box TVs. Those are so heavy, so they can cause even worse injuries,” explains Emily Gossens, project coordinator for Green Bay’s Center for Childhood Safety.
No matter the style of TV, injuries can take place.
“There’s still the number of injuries of kids getting things tipped over on them while they’re climbing. It just might not be as major of an injury with the lighter TVs,” says Gossens.
Because of that, police are encouraging parents to take proactive steps.
“We just urge people to secure their TVs, no matter if it’s an older style or a new style,” says Officer Mann.
Gossens recommends anti-tip straps for TVs inside homes with children, which screw into the wall and the back of a TV.
She recommends that parents secure furniture too.
“Dressers will have the same kind of thing too,” she says.
Police have not yet identified the girl who was killed.
