Calif. Girl Killed by Falling Television Set

Just weeks after federal product-safety officials warned of the risks of death and injury from falling televisions and other household appliances, a Southern California girl has died after being crushed by a falling 32-inch television.

Jasmine Starr Ilgenfritz, 6, of the Los Angeles suburb of West Covina, was playing with her younger siblings on October 31 when a TV set fell from a living-room table where it was sitting on top of her, according to police sources cited in a Los Angeles Times blog about the incident.

Jasmine was rushed to a local hospital, but later died from her injuries, officials said. A grandparent who was supervising her and the other children was in another room when the accident occurred and did not witness how it happened, police said. None of the other children was injured.

Thousands Injured by Falling TVs, Other Items

Since 2006, more than 16,000 children age 5 and younger have been treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries suffered in accidents involving falling televisions, furniture, and household appliances, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently said.

There were 134 tip-over related deaths in the U.S. from 2000 to 2006, and since January 2007, there have been at least 30 media reports of tip-over deaths in children, the CPSC said. Such accidents can happen when toddlers and young children reach up to change the channels or turn a TV set on, causing the heavy appliance to topple down on top of them.

The rash of injuries and deaths related to falling TVs and other products prompted the CPSC to issue a public safety advisory including tips on helping reduce the tragic accidents. TVs perched on top of tables, chairs, dressers, or other furniture are particularly susceptible to falling onto children, officials said.

No related posts.