When you’re setting up a new TV on the wall or on a stand, your number one priority should always be safety. TVs aren’t as heavy as they used to be, and while it’s nice they’re so thin and light, they still need to be properly secured or they could fall over. Not only will a falling TV damage or destroy the TV itself, but it could hurt any innocent bystanders in the area. You can’t be too careful, especially if you have kids. I’ve had my TV on a stand and I’ve had it mounted on the wall, and in my opinion, wall mounting is the safest option when you have kids at home.
Wall mounting your new TV is the safer option
There is a huge size difference between a new TV and TVs from 20 years ago. Older TVs were designed in big boxes, with some weighing in at 100 lbs or more. New TVs, on the other hand, are a lot slimmer. Most weigh only 25 to 60 lbs. That lighter design also means they have a higher center of gravity, and that means they can tip over easily.
According to data from Consumer Reports, falling TVs made up 62% of fatalities involving furniture tip-overs from 2018 to 2020. That number includes all age groups, but falling TVs are especially dangerous to children. You could turn your back for a minute and they could pull it down on top of them before you turn around.
I’ve had a few near misses when my own kids were little, and one time I was lucky enough to catch the TV by the edge before it fell. My kids are older now so I’m not worried about them tipping the TV, but my cats have also brushed up against it and made it wobble. I don’t want it to fall on anyone, including my pets, so I’m definitely an advocate for mounting TVs on the wall.
How to wall mount your new TV
Wall mounting your TV involves a few steps, and the first one is choosing your new TV mount. There are quite a few options, and your choice will depend on how you’d like to use the TV while it’s mounted on the wall.
Fixed or low profile wall mounts
A fixed or low profile wall mount is a mount that’s designed to create a minimal or streamlined look for your TV. You can’t tilt or move the TV once it’s attached to the wall with a fixed mount, and this type of mount is an excellent choice if you’d like to display art on your TV when you’re not watching.
Tilting wall mount
When you choose a tilting wall mount you’ll be able to move a bit, but tilting wall mounts will only tilt vertically. This type of mount is a good choice if you need to place your TV high on the wall to keep out of reach of kids or because it’s mounted over a fireplace. Tilting mounts are also very handy if your TV is mounted in the direct path of a window and you’d like to reduce glare.
Full motion wall mount
If you’d like a wall mount that can tilt and move side to side, a full motion wall mount is a good choice. You’ll be able to swivel the TV or extend the screen so it’s closer to you, and this type of mount is the best option if you have a room with different types of seating. You’ll reach out and move the TV into the best possible position for everyone.
Tips for family-friendly wall mounting
Securing heavy objects is part of child-proofing your home, and a TV definitely qualifies as a heavy object. If you need a step-by-step guide for mounting your TV you can take a look at this article on wall mounting. There are also a few family-friendly steps I took when my kids were little that you may want to follow when mounting a new TV.
- Choose a child-friendly location for your TV – Most brands will recommend you mount a TV at eye level, but when you have younger children at home you may want to mount your TV higher on the wall. With a full motion mount, you can easily move the TV up and out of the way to keep your kids safe.
- Securely fasten other devices – Home theatre receivers and sound bars can be pretty heavy. If you have devices like these connected to your TV you’ll want to securely fasten them or close them away behind a cabinet door.
- Tuck away your cords and cables – Cords are a safety hazard because you can trip on them, but you also don’t want your little one to pull a cable out of the TV or pull down any TV accessories. Keep cords and cables out of reach and safely tucked away or cover them with cable protectors that prevent pulling.
Mounting your new TV is the safest option for the entire family
When you have children at home, the safest way to protect them and your TV is to mount it on the wall. With your TV safely on the wall you won’t stress when your kids are watching a cartoon and you’re cooking dinner. You’ll know your TV is securely fastened to the wall so it will never fall. You can find a wide range of wall mounts for your new TV at Best Buy.
Funny, I just mounted our TV on Sunday. Overall it was not difficult. Had my brother-in-law help because a second pair of hands do help to hold things in place while making sure everything is level. Now the TV is much safer and more secure.
Mounting your TV is essential. You must make sure that your kids don’t mess with the TV that is on your TV stand. If it’s mounted up on the wall, then they won’t be able to mess with it. This advice is excellent!
I fully agree! a home filled with young people it better the tv goes to the wall, thanks for sharing tips on how to do it properly, I am curious what are the ways we can settle the other things attached to TV like Xbox and Extra Speakers and others accessories 🙂
Thinking about getting the more expensive wall mounts that swing or come out. This makes it easier to get to the cable ports and allows you to change orientation around the room.
Hi XL, I like that option, but the fixed or tilting mounts have the advantage of being more flush to the wall. It all depends how you want ot use them, because usually you only need to get to the cable ports at setup time, and perhaps the odd other time. It certainly does help with orientation around the room to have a swing mount.
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