Albany, NY – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) announced that his bill, A.7018, requiring the New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection to create a public awareness campaign about the dangers of unsecured furniture has passed with broad bi-partisan support in both houses of the legislature. The legislation requires the Division of Consumer Protection to develop, establish, and implement a public awareness campaign related to the dangers of unsecured furniture, televisions, and other household appliances.

“Nearly every two weeks a child dies when a TV or other large piece of furniture falls on them,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “According to a study from the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 349 consumers were killed between 2000 and 2011 as a result of furniture toppling over; 84% of those deaths were children younger than nine years old.”

The same federal commission estimates that over 43,000 consumers are injured each year in similar tip-over incidents; more than 25,000 of those injuries being suffered by children younger than 18. Falling furniture accounts for more than half of the reported injuries. However, falling televisions are more deadly, as they are associated with 62% of reported fatalities.

“The number one victims of unsecured furniture are overwhelmingly children. These tragedies are easily preventable, and it starts with passing along the information to and making the public aware of how to put a stop to these incidents from happening,” Assemblyman Dinowitz noted. By making parents and caregivers of young children aware of the risks associated with un-anchored furniture, and the propensity of these incidents to result in severe injury, this awareness campaign is going to save many lives.”

The legislation passed overwhelmingly in both the Assembly and in the Senate where it was sponsored by Senator Patricia Ritchie (R-Jefferson), and will now be sent to the Governor’s office.