Warning to anyone who keeps 1 common item near TV

It’s safe to say the television is usually a focal point of any room it’s in — and people tend to go to great lengths to make the space surrounding their tele aesthetically appealing.

While those gorgeous bits and bobs around your TV might look fantastic — some of them may actually damage your costly appliance beyond repair.

As our televisions grow larger and more advanced, it’s crucial to rethink how we arrange the space around them. Fresh research has revealed the bizarre and unexpected objects Brits keep beside their televisions – with some findings likely to surprise many.

The most common item on the list that’s kept near television sets in the UK may even cause irreparable damage to the appliance. Not to mention, it poses a serious fire risk when kept near the beloved device. 

While personalising your living space with decorative and functional items, it’s important to keep in mind that certain objects, especially those that emit heat or moisture, can inadvertently cause damage to your TV set. So, while it may be easy to overlook the impact that surrounding items can have on both the longevity and functionality of your TV — it’s crucial to assess them.

New research from AO.com discovered that candles topped the peculiar list, with over one in eight people confessing to positioning them adjacent to or in the vicinity of their TV screens.

The survey additionally uncovered that many Britons maintain an array of other curious belongings near their televisions — including beverages, oil diffusers, water-filled vases and salt lamps. Remarkably, even magnets featured amongst the findings.

However, whilst such items might create an aesthetically pleasing lounge environment for viewers to enjoy, specialists warn it may be prudent to reconsider what sits within arm’s reach of your television.

Nick Bunce, a television specialist at AO.com, cautions: “A candlelit movie night might sound and look great, but TVs are designed with specific ventilation needs, so anything giving off heat or moisture like candles or diffusers can block airflow and affect internal components.

“Some of the more surprising items in our survey — like salt lamps or magnets — might seem harmless, but they can still interfere with your TV’s performance, especially over time. In rare cases, the combination of heat or wax could even pose a fire risk.”

Nevertheless, despite numerous unusual objects featuring in the findings, the research indicated that 20% of the population maintain no items near their television and consistently endeavour to keep the space uncluttered. 

Nick adds: “We’d fully expect people to have things like soundbars and other tech next to their TVs to improve their viewing experience.

“But the message is to make sure the items you do place near to your TV are the right things and won’t impact performance or pose a risk.”

The television expert recommends a quick declutter around your TV screen, noting that it can significantly help keep the expensive device running smoothly and, most importantly, safely.

Taking the time to reassess the space around your TV could not only help prevent unnecessary wear and tear but also ensure a safer environment for both your television and the people in the room.