Coffee tables can make or break a room. The right one can make a style statement by bringing all your furniture together into a unified whole. One item that many people fail to consider, however, is whether or not their coffee table is actually secure.

Most people when buying a coffee table, even a glass one, automatically assume that safety comes as standard. However, this is not always the case.

glass coffee tables

Glass coffee tables look sleek and modern and can make a room look brighter and more airy. However, they can also pose a danger to both young children and adults. This is because glass tables are not required to be made of tempered glass in the US.

Tempered glass is glass that has been treated in a way that if it breaks, it breaks into small, regular shaped cubes that are unlikely to cause injury. However, many tables are not made of this type of glass. In fact, many coffee tables are made from a thicker sheet of cheaper ordinary glass. If this glass breaks, it can splinter into long spikes that can easily pierce the body.

For this reason, it is vitally important to check when purchasing a glass coffee table if it has been made of tempered glass. You should not only ask the sales assistant, but also seek confirmation that their answer is truthful, as it can be very difficult to tell what kind of glass a table is made of just by looking. You might think it’s unlikely to break, but people do fall, especially kids. Even sitting at a table when distracted could cause it to break and inflict devastating injuries.

Many people suggest that in homes with young children even a tempered glass coffee table is not suitable as the chance of it breaking is too great. Of course, it’s up to individual parents to make their own decisions in this matter, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution when safety is at stake. For parents who consider a glass coffee table an absolute necessity, the option of safety films should also be considered.

wooden coffee tables

Wooden coffee tables generally have fewer safety concerns than glass ones; however, there are still dangers that may exist. One of the particular dangers commonly encountered is the problem of small children learning to walk calling themselves names at tight corners. Many baby and parenting stores and even IKEA now sell corner protectors; small rounded foam or plastic plugs that help prevent injury. While these aren’t too attractive to look at, they are a great way to prevent accidents and should only be used for a relatively short time while your child is in their toddler stage. Similarly, there are now “bumpers” available that can be placed along the edges of any wooden coffee table. These are heavily padded pieces of material that are attached to the surface to prevent injury. They can then be removed when no longer needed.

Liftable drawers and lids

Lifting the top covers can also present a hazard to small children. Very often, especially in the case of wooden coffee tables, the top can be very heavy. Because of this, there is always the possibility of small children getting their fingers trapped. If you select such a table, it may be necessary to secure the top until your children are older to prevent injury.

Drawers are another hazard for small children. Fingers are easily pinched and trapped. As with so many other areas of the home, safety features such as drawer locks may need to be incorporated to keep your child safe.

In addition to the safety features of the coffee tables themselves, there is also the important consideration of what is placed on the coffee table. While a dining table may be out of reach for young children, a coffee table is the perfect height for little fingers to investigate. Many young children have a particular fascination with coffee tables and spend hours investigating the treasures they may contain. Therefore, it is important to think before placing hot drinks, glassware, porcelain, nuts or anything else that may pose a hazard on the surface.

Although all of these factors require some time and consideration, the benefits of keeping your child safe far outweigh any time or financial cost involved. Remember: when it comes to children, safety is always the number one priority.