Accessorize: Here’s to a Safe New Year

If a flat-panel TV is set on furniture that is against the wall, secure the flat panel to the wall or furniture with safety cables or nylon safety straps. Some furniture pieces include safety straps. But if not, then consumers should consider accessories such as the OmniMount Essentials OESK, a child safety cable kit that easily tethers to the wall panels that are within arms reach or in high-traffic areas.

For homes with a more advanced home theater set up, load rack-mountable gear into an A/V rack that secures components in place. For non-rack-mountable components, use safety straps so they won't shift or fall if bumped. In addition to product stability, proper cooling is a critical safety measure. Many of the new enclosed racks have built-in electric fans.

Children tend to explore and play with what they aren't supposed to—their curious fingers always seem to want to tug on wires or pull on dangling cords. To ensure children don't pull on A/V cables, install cable management to conceal wires from the wall-mounted flat panel to the power outlet. It's also important that surge protectors have safety slides that shift over to cover unused power receptacles.