A hidden household danger: Television.
BACKGROUND
Today, at least 1 television (TV) is owned in most households, and watching TV has become a significant part of daily life. Time spent in front of the TV has increased as its popularity has grown, which may pose a danger to children. The aim of the present study was to draw attention to cases of TV tip-over-related pediatric injuries.


METHODS
Cases of TV tip-over injuries of pediatric patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital recorded between June 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013 were included. Data were prospectively collected, including age and gender of patient, part(s) of the body affected, Glasgow Coma Scale score, TV screen size and brand, and whether the patient was hospitalized in the general ward or the intensive care unit (ICU).


RESULTS
There were 53 pediatric patients enrolled in the study, including 30 males (56.6%) and 23 females (43.4%). Eight patients (17%) had a fracture somewhere in the body, whereas 45 patients (83%) had no fracture. Of patients with a fracture, 3 (2 males, 1 female) were treated in the general ward and 3 (male) in the intensive care unit. One male patient died.


CONCLUSIONS
An increasing number of individuals present to emergency services with injuries sustained by TV toppling. Cases of injury, permanent disability, and even death associated with falling TVs suggest that awareness of the danger should be increased, as it may affect children in particular.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri-Turkey.
Oğuzhan
O
Bol
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri-Turkey.
Hüseyin
H
Cebiçci
Department of Emergency Medicine, Karabük University Faculty of Medicine, Karabük-Turkey.
Serhat
S
Koyuncu
Department of Cardiology, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri-Turkey.
Bahadır
B
Şarlı
Department of Emergency Medicine, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri-Turkey.
Nurullah
N
Günay
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D013690:Television; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology