Declare Tip-Over Awareness Day

29, 2018, as Furniture and TV Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day; and WHEREAS, The purpose of Furniture and TV Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day is to bring awareness and help educate New Yorkers about the potential dangers of unsecured furniture, TVs and appliances in homes where children live, visit often, or are cared for, and to encourage parents to take proper precautions to prevent tip-over accidents; and WHEREAS, October 29 is being designated as Furniture and TV Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day in loving memory of the birthday of Harper Fried, a 3-year-old Hudson Valley girl who tragically died as a result of a tip-over accident; and WHEREAS, HarperSmiles Inc. was created following this tragic accident; the mission of this noble organization is to educate, inspire and motivate parents to secure furniture and prevent tip-over accidents; and WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 33,100 people were treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency departments for product instability or tip-over injuries related to televisions, furniture, and appliances from 2013 through 2015; and WHEREAS, Between 2000 and 2015, there were 489 deaths related to product instability or television, furniture, and appliance tip-overs, according to the CPSC; and WHEREAS, According to a CPSC study, when a television falls from an average size dresser, it can fall with the force of thousands of pounds, or a force 10 times more powerful than an NFL lineman; and WHEREAS, Families can eliminate furniture, TV and appliance tip-over accidents by using sturdy furniture designed to hold TVs; mounting TVs on walls; securing furniture, particularly top-heavy furniture, TVs and appliances to walls using simple safety devices such as braces and straps; and by removing tempting objects for children from the top of TVs and furniture; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body encourages all New Yorkers, particularly parents and caregivers with young children, to take these simple, low cost steps to prevent tip-over-related injuries and deaths; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize October 29, 2018, as Furniture and TV Tip-Over Prevention Awareness Day, and to express its most since condolences to the families who have lost children as a result of tip-over accidents; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to HarperSmiles Inc., Harriman, New York.