Flat screen tv, is a child proof ? (can it be pushed over by enthusiastic 16month old?)

[Fizzylemonade]

We have large 32" widescreen tv that currently sits in the corner of my room. At the last house it did not look out of place, at this house it does. It covers a small amount of the window and I have to tuck the curtain behind it as it is soooo big.

I want a flat screen TV that will not need to be so far out from the wall, current tv depth is huge.

DH not sure that our 16 month old won't push it over and kill it.

We can't wall mount it as the dimensions of our lounge mean that it is long and narrow so wall mounting would look silly.

Please help me to persuade DH by telling me they are very stable.

[EricL]

Hate to tell you this - but your DH's suspicions are correct. As the wee one gets older he will get his hands all over the screen and i find mine regularly moved from its position, pushed back, turned round, etc, with sticky fingerprints everywhere.

I do have a rather large, chunky thing in the lounge for this though. Our flatscreen fancy one is mounted upstairs out of reach.

I can only suggets your DH finds some way of mounting it or securing it somehow if you think it is likely to get pushed over easily.

The rule of thumb with these things is that if you think there is a slight risk of something happenning - it probably will. Toddlers seem to be able to do all the things you hope they don't.

[Fizzylemonade]

Damn, damn it all

I wouldn't mind but it is normally the bloke who wants the new stuff and the wife saying no.

We don't want to mount it as it would look strange because of where it is positioned and where our sofas are and I am sure blu tack won't hold it down

My DH will be very happy.

[EricL]

Could you not mount it close to where it is now? It doesn't have to be slap-bang in the middle of a big wall as you are probably imagining. You can mount it on a bracket in a corner as i have done or at a lower height than you are probably thinking - it doesn't have to be out of reach from the wee one - just secure enough so if he pushes it ar leans on it, it won't fall over.

[Fizzylemonade]

My TV is currently in the corner to the right of the fireplace. It overlaps the window on the wall at a right angle to the fireplace wall.

The large sofa is opposite the fireplace wall so the tv is very visible but the other sofa is opposite the window and the end is against the fireplace wall (you may have to draw this to see what I mean). If I mount a flat screen tv to the wall I would have to pull it quite far out to be able to see it from the smaller sofa past the fireplace.

I can't rearrange my furniture as I have a through lounge diner. I need the mirror above the fireplace as the room is dark despite me using all my interior design knowledge to make it light.

Sadly common sense is ruling me on this one, I am not wanting the tv out of reach I just want my lounge to look bigger as it is narrow and the tv dominates. Plus I wanted some nice furniture to go underneath instead of the monstrous tv stand that comes with the current tv and I only have a sky box and dvd recorder so wanted those to sit on top of a chest of drawer cd/dvd storage (have been drooling over nice oak thing in Next) so I could have more storage.

Thanks for your help though

[EricL]

I know what you mean - we always design our lounges the way we want them with the furniture and then figure out where to slot the tv into it.

Otherwise you end up with a configuration that looks like a shrine to the TellyGod with it being the main focal point of the whole bloody room.

Good luck anyway.

[NappyValley]

We switched from bulky to flat screen when DS was about 16mo. The one we bought comes with an anchor point and rope to help you attach it to the wall to prevent it being pulled onto them. We do not have too many problems even though DS is a boisterous bouncy boy, as we created a playroom at the same time, so he is not in the lounge much. Also from day 1 we made a big point about not touching the telly, complete with timeout for repeated offending. he is very good now about it. btw I got rid of the old one on freecycle which was great.

[Sixofone]

We bought an HD flat screen recently and have wall mounted it - I really can recommend doing so if yo ucan think of any way at all that you can put it on the wall - no sticky fingerprints either, bliss

(She just heads straight for the sky+ box now instead )

[alycat]

We have a similar arrangement to you I think, a large fireplace (big brick inglenook)and the TV is on the wall to the right (as you look at it) so cannot be seen from the sofa which is 'end on' to the left of the fire place.

Simple solution, we have a fab arm thing with a double joint. It pulls out from the wall and then can be angled left (or right). The first one we looked at was £600!! though, but shopped around and got it for much less. It is out of reach, out of danger and when you get fed up with them keep switching it on you just press the power seitcvh at the top and they cannot put it back on!

[Ripeberry]

Problem with flat screens also is that the screen is plastic and not glass so can get damaged easily by being prodded.
AB

[IlanaK]

We just bought one and it comes with a strap that is attached to the bottom of the tv and sticks out the back. You are supposed to attach the strap to the wall to prevent it being knocked over. We have not done this as ds are 3 and 6 so can be trusted, but it would work for your little one maybe. However, I have told my two on pain of death that they are NOT to touch the screen! Not sure you could do that with a toddler though!

[BigGitDad]

On the other hand just buy one and make sure you insure it specifically under your home contents insurance under the 'old for new, accidental damage' option' and when the inevitable happens don't be cross because your children have just got you another brand new TV.
I do not know what lessons that will teach them in life however and they may try to replace other items of value in your house....