March 20, 2001--
Nathan Brock/Teighlor's Father: "I NEVER THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN."
Grieving parents warn others how quickly a piece of furniture can kill.
A one-year-old was killed when a chest of drawers fell on her. And now, her parents speak out to help so others can avoid a similar tragedy. News Specialist Stacey Butler reports from Primary Children's Hospital.
Doctors here at Primary Children's Hospital treat children all the time for injuries from furniture that has fallen on them. From stoves, to shelves to television sets. Many end in serious injury, some end in death.
Today's story stands as a warning to all parents. For Tamarie Brock, losing her toddler is still very difficult to talk about, but it's something she feels compelled to do.
Tamarie Brock/Teighlor's mother: "IF SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T LOSE A CHILD LIKE WE DID THEN IT'S WORTH THEM KNOWING AND ME TALKING."
Her daughter Teighlor Brock suffocated when a chest of drawers fell on her last week. Tamarie had just put her daughter down for a nap.
Tamarie Brock/Teighlor's mother: "I SAID, 'ISN'T IT STRANGE TEIGHLOR'S STILL ASLEEP?' SO I WENT TO CHECK ON HER AND IF SHE WAKES UP GET HER DINNER AND KEEP HER UP FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS SO SHE'LL SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. THAT'S WHEN I WALKED IN AND FOUND HER DRESSER TOPPLED OVER."
It's one possibility this couple never considered.
Nathan Brock/Teighlor's Father: "I NEVER THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN."
Tamarie Brock/Teighlor's mother: "WHEN YOU WOULD OPEN THE DRESSER DRAWER, IFYOU WOULD PULL IT TOO HARD, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE IT WOULD MOVE, BUT NOTHING THAT I EVER THOUGHT WOULD JUST TOPPLE OVER."
Tamarie and her husband Nathan are devastated. They say they'd never heard of such serious risks from a dresser until now. But doctors at Primary Children's Hospital have treated dozens of children after stoves, shelves and dressers fell on them. Some were seriously injured, some died. Teighlor's parents can't help but wonder if she would still be alive if only there had been a warning.
Nathan Brock/Teighlor's Father" I WOULD HAVE TAKEN PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN."
"THEY SAY, 'OH WHEN A DOOR'S OPEN ON A STOVE,YOU HAVE THE ANTI TIP WHERE IT'S BOLTED TO THE FLOOR SO IT DOESN'T TIP OVER.' BUT THEY NEVER MADE THAT FOR A DRESSER AND YOU NEVER ASSUME."
Teighlor was to celebrate her second birthday next week. Doctors say this is a reminder that especially with lighter furniture, if it can be climbed on it should be anchored to the wall, even if the enclosure doesn't state it's necessary.
