A toddler’s death in Ogdensburg has resulted in a new law sponsored by State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, to prevent “tip-over” accidents.

In 2012, a 2-year-old boy was crushed to death when a dresser fell on him. His entire family, including six siblings, all were home at the time, Ritchie said.

The legislation, sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, is aimed at protecting children from incidents involving heavy pieces of falling furniture or televisions, has been signed into law.

Under the new law, the state’s Consumer Protection Division will be required to develop a public awareness campaign about the danger, and the need to anchor to floors or walls heavy furniture that could fall or be pulled down by a child.

Recent statistics indicate that every two weeks a child in the United States dies as a result of tip over incidents, and every 24 minutes a child is admitted to the emergency room due to furniture or television that has fallen on them, according to a press release from Ritchie’s office.

“As a mother and grandmother, I know there’s nothing more important than making sure children are safe, especially in our homes,” said Ritchie, who represents much of western St. Lawrence County in the Senate.

“Many people simply don’t realize that heavy items—like televisions, dressers and other types of furniture—present a very real danger for children who are tempted to climb on or play nearby them. Through this new law, we can make sure that more parents are made aware of the importance of needing to protect their children from heavy items in their home that could easily fall over and do harm.”

To prevent injuries caused by tip over incidents the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends taking the following steps:

• Make sure your furniture is sturdy and don’t place televisions or large items on top of anything that can’t handle heavy weights;

• Utilize mounts for flat screen televisions to eliminate the risk of their tipping over

• If furniture comes with anti-tip devices, don’t forget to install them

• Add anti-tip equipment to older pieces of furniture or televisions

• Don’t place toys or other items that might attract children on top of televisions or heavy pieces of furniture

• Set up restricted play areas for children that do not have any potential tip over hazards.

Ritchie says she sponsored the bill in the wake of two toddler deaths in her 48th District, which includes most of northern and western St. Lawrence County.