The more boring your entertainment center looks to kids, the safer it’ll be
Let’s avoid painting any ugly pictures here. Suffice it to say, any accident involving your child and TV/entertainment center is certainly worth avoiding. Fortunately, taking some simple precautionary steps can help keep your TV and other appliances safe and secure—and more importantly, your kids.
Your investment doesn’t have to be steep or time-intensive. Here are eight simple tips to go along with our home child safety guide to help you get started.
TV wall mounts are your best bet for childproofing your entertainment center. They start around $20 and can cost up to $150 or more, depending on the size, weight rating, and additional features (Bluetooth screen toggling, for example).
Use a stud finder before you drill into the wall so it’s anchored securely. If you’re drilling into drywall, you’ll need to buy a wall-less mount (starting at $20 to $100) that’s rated for your TV size and weight. Wall-less mounts use many nails inserted at an angle to secure the television instead of a few screws.
Some wall mounts come with TV safety straps (about $10 to $15), while others must be ordered separately. You can feel good about the fact that your TV won’t fall off its stand, even if you choose a TV stand over a wall mount. These straps can be fastened to the wall, work in conjunction with the mounting device, or secured to the table where your TV stands.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to use a wall mount, a standing mount is your best alternative. Or, purchase stable bases for each end of the TV. You can even special-order wider ones for most TV models.
If using a stud finder or drilling into your wall seems like too much work, consulting a local handyperson or TV mounting service near you are two options you may consider. Having a pro to wall-mount your TV makes life much easier and ensures you don’t aimlessly drill holes in your wall or incorrectly mount your device.
If you’re buying a new television, some electronics stores may offer at-home installation for an additional fee.
The primary issue of having a heavy object secured now in place, there are additional steps you can take to babyproof your entertainment center and hide your TV. Any loose ends like cords or cables scream fun to a curious young child. Yanking, sucking on, and unplugging are just a few things they may indulge in joyously.
We recommend starting with the cords and cables. The best way to secure TV cords for child safety is to:
Use zip ties or cord straps (many cords have straps already on them) to secure your cable bundle into one neat cable.
Secure them behind your television or entertainment center.
Keep remotes away or up high when the TV isn’t in use.
Today’s Bluetooth products tend to make one’s entertainment center far less chaotic. Still, plug-in cords and the like exist for other appliances like Blu-ray players or surround sound equipment and should be treated similarly to loose cords from your TV.
Think about it this way: The less your child can see or grab onto, the less likely they’ll go exploring for items around your TV to take apart.
For additional safety, consider roping off or adding a circular baby gate (starting at $50) to block off the area directly in front of your TV. If your television isn’t going to be mounted or there are many loose cables present, this step is highly recommended.
The edges of coffee tables, entertainment stands, and even electronic appliances can be sharp enough to hurt a child if they accidentally fall or run into them. Look online for plastic corner safety pieces for children. They start around $5 for a pack of four and are versatile enough to fit both wooden and fabric furniture.
According to CNET, a 32-inch television made only two decades ago might weigh over 100 pounds, with today’s high-definition and light-crystal display (LCD) models only weighing between 20 to 35 pounds. An older TV that tips over could pose a much more serious problem.
If you’re looking at methods for babyproofing your TV, maybe it’s a fun yet reasonable way to justify buying a new one. Large flat-screens are more affordable today than ever before, and if you shop for deals, you may be surprised at what you find.
Also, local recyclers and junk removal companies can come to pick up your TV if you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling it on a community site like Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, or Craigslist.
