Do you own a 39- or 42-inch Vizio E-series TV? If so, be aware that the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling these sets due to concerns that the TV stands can fail, causing the television to tip over unexpectedly.
As we reported earlier this year, TV tipovers are on the rise. Using CPSC data, Safe Kids Worldwide in 2012 reported that every 45 minutes, a child is rushed to an emergency room because of a television tipping over.
So far no injuries have been reported with these Vizio sets, but the company has received 51 reports of these TVs tipping over. If you own one of these TVs—the model and serial numbers are on the back panel of the TV—you should immediately take the TV down, detach the stand, place the set in a safe location, and contact Vizio for a replacement stand assembly. (You can find the full list of affected models and serial numbers on this CPSC Web page.)
The CPSC advises that even those who have wall-mounted the TV should request the replacement stand assembly in case it's needed in the future. You can contact Vizio at its toll-free phone number—(855) 472-7450—between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Savings Time Monday through Friday, or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. You can also visit Vizio's website for more information.
In our blog post earlier this year about the growing number of tipover incidents, we highlighted several reasons for the trend, including larger-sized replacement TVs that were being placed on shelves, tables, or media consoles that were initially bought for smaller sets. In our post, we offer a number of recommendations that can help ensure that your TVs aren't at risk of tipping over.
—James K. Willcox
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