Letter to Pediatricans

It is with heavy heart that I tell you that there has been another death from furniture tip-over. My husband and I have learned about a 3 year old little girl whose precious life was lost as the result of her dresser tipping back in April of this year. My heart aches for her parents as there is no greater pain felt than that of the loss of one's child.Each time that I learn about another death I realize that our job is not nearly completed. We have not warned nearly enough people that furniture can kill.Although we try our best to raise awareness of furniture tip-over, I believe we need the help of others to accomplish our mission.
One group of people who I believe should be educating the public are the pediatricans that we entrust our most precious treasures. We look to our doctors for guidance, for help and to maintain the health of our children...who better than to help educate parents than our pediatricians? Several months ago I searched the American Academy of Pediatrics' website to find their information on furniture tip-over. After looking and searching, I realized that there just was not any information on furniture tip-over there. I thought back to the many times that I have taken my children for doctor's visits, both routine and non-routine and realized that prior to Katie'[s death, bolting my furniture was never even mentioned. Perhaps, just perhaps if one of our doctors had mentioned to me that my furniture should be anchored to the wall, just maybe my Katie would still be with me. So I decided to email one of the contacts at the AAP. I received no respone. So, I looked onto the website again and emailed several contacts our story and asked about adding furniture tip-over to their website. Once again I received no response. So this time, I revised my letter and sent it certified mail to Washington D.C. and to another location of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It was sent a little over a week ago. I am presently waiting to hear if they would respond. I don't want to appear pesty but if it means that one life could be saved than I will do it. The following is a copy of the letter sent on what would have been my Katie's 7th birthday. She would have been getting ready to enter the 2nd grade this September.

July 30, 2008

Dear American Academy of Pediatrics,I am writing to you as not only a concerned parent but also one who has learned firsthand the devastation of losing a child. On January 21, 2005 my 3 year old daughter, Katie, was killed after a large, unsecured wardrobe cabinet tipped and fell on top of her, crushing her little body. Since her death my husband and I have worked very hard attempting to warn parents and caregivers of the hidden hazards of unsecured furniture.We founded the Katie Elise Lambert Foundation, a 501 (3) (c) organization, whose mission is to raise awareness of this preventable danger.According to the CPSC, between 8,000 to 10,000 people are injured yearly as the result of falling furniture. Between the years 2000 and 2005, 101 deaths have been attributed to furniture tip-over and 80% of those deaths were to children. I feel very strongly that if parents and caregivers were aware of this danger, precautions could be taken, and that we may begin to see a decline in the number of deaths associated with it. It is truly heartbreaking to learn of another innocent child’s life cut short due to the lack of awareness of the danger of TV/furniture tip-over. As the mother of 3 children I have found myself visiting our pediatrician’s office several times each year with each child, not only for unexpected illnesses but also for routine check-ups. At each routine check-up I have been given the appropriate age-related TIPP sheet for the particular child being cared for at that visit. I have answered the routine questions posed by the doctor, “do we have smoke detectors in the house, do we use car seats, do the children wear bicycle helmets, etc?”However, prior to my daughter’s death, I had never been informed or asked, “Is your furniture/TV secured to the wall?” I have never seen furniture tip-over mentioned on one of your TIPP sheets, unless I have missed it, nor have I read about it on the AAP website. I am a firm believer that education is the key to our children’s safety. I know from experience that if I had been aware that furniture could tip, my daughter may still be with me. Please take into consideration adding furniture tip-over as an issue to be discussed during well-child visits from baby age throughout toddler and preschool years up to and including the late elementary school ages. Furniture tip-over is now considered one of the top five hazards for children listed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We can help prevent this type of tragedy.I believe that The Academy of Pediatrics can play an important role in helping to decrease the number of deaths and injuries associated with TV/furniture tip-over. Remember, education is the key in helping to protect our children.

I thank you for your time,
Judy Lambert
Katie Elise Lambert Foundation
www.katieeliselambert.org
Posted by Judy at 2:31 PM