Televisions are often large and heavy; an improperly placed or mounted television can cause serious injury if it falls. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to safely install a television and protect those around it.

When installing a TV, make sure it is securely anchored to the wall, even if you are placing it on a stand or table. Mounting the TV to the wall prevents it from tipping over, either due to its own imbalance, unexpected movements (earthquakes or other natural disasters), or a contact-related accident (a bump from an object or person).

Increasingly, TV manufacturers include diagrams for securely anchoring a flat-screen TV to a tabletop, shelf, or wall, along with instructions for mounting a TV to its included stand or wall mount. If such instructions are provided in your TV's owner's manual, follow them. Some TV manufacturers even provide a small harness or anchor cable to aid in installation. Use only the correct type of bracket and screws required for your TV; you can find these instructions in your owner's manual. Also make sure that your wall can support the weight of your TV.

When choosing a TV, choose one that has feet on both the left and right sides of the TV frame. This will provide a more stable placement and is less likely to wobble. However, you should still take extra care to prevent the TV from tipping or falling unexpectedly.