Apparently, the elbow joints of these faulty mounts were unable to carry the weight of the mounted TV screen as claimed. Depending on the weight of the display, people are experiencing sinking, slumping or falling televisions.

An appealing design is not always a guarantee of a safe installation.

Australian flat screen mounting company Atdec has advised consumers to research TV mounts thoroughly before making a purchase. Many TV mounts in the market today may look fancy and have an attractive price tag, but are actually a poor and inferior display support system in disguise.

Atdec managing director Jerome Green says, “Having aesthetically pleasing qualities doesn’t mean you have to compromise on safety for flat panel mounting in the home and commercial situation.

“Smart design today isn’t just strength or aesthetics. It means functionality, environmentally responsible design, ease of installation and stylish design without compromising strength and durability.”

Atdec has a strict quality control system based on years of research and development and vigorous testing so that its TV mounts not only have sleek designs but also have the capacity to hold heavier screens securely.

For example, Atdec’s Telehook TH-3270-UFM has the capacity to hold 65kg in weight, and comes pre-assembled which guarantees a quick and easy installation.

Atdec’s Telehook TH-400-LED allows displays to be ‘hung’ from the wall using a state-of-the-art picture-hanging principle. The TH-400-LED is lightweight yet strong and durable, allowing any display up to 50kg in weight with a 400mm-wide VESA mounting hole pattern to be ‘hung’ only 15¼mm from the wall.

The Telehook TH-3060-LPF offers the closest wall contact for ultra-slim TVs – just 14mm from the wall. It can carry all displays weighing up to 65kg, and is held from the wall with an easy to attach click-on mounting system, combined with a safety spring lock.

Safety tips from Atdec for mounting a TV display

1. The humble television set may have changed in size and features throughout the years, but think twice before hanging a TV (no matter how lightweight is seems be) on an inferior mount. A good television mount is strong enough to sustain the equipment.

2. Your television is normally the centrepiece of your living room and should be easily viewable by everyone. Flexibility also allows you to position the TV away from the curious eyes of a toddler. There are mounts in the market that allow for greater movement with three pivot points, giving you full motion control over tilt and pan.

3. Don’t forget the other display screens in the house. Invest in a quality screen mount for the monitor to ensure it will not fall over.

4. With projector TVs, the important element for optimal viewing is positioning the projector at the right distance and ensuring it stays in place. A good projector mount should handle up to 15kgs easily, and offer flexible adjustments, such as 360-degree rotation and pitch and roll adjustments. Some mounts even allow a projector to be mounted on an angled ceiling, offering a stable base for easy installation.

5. Wires are an imminent danger. Hide cable clutter properly. Many TV mounts now have an in-built cable management channel along the pole, which allows freedom for the cables to move along with any height adjustment.