Install an Anti Tip Strap for Coffee Table Safety

Why anchor a coffee table

Tip-over injuries can happen in a home even with low furniture. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission describes furniture tip-overs as a hidden hazard, and its Anchor It campaign asks caregivers to anchor furniture with drawers, doors, or shelves to the wall. A coffee table with storage shelves, a drawer, or a lift top is exactly the kind of piece the campaign is talking about.

The risk is greatest when a child climbs on the table, pulls on an open drawer, or uses the edge to pull themselves up. A coffee table usually sits at child height in front of the sofa, so a child can reach it easily. Adding a strap does not replace supervision, but it removes the energy from a tip-over before the table can fall. If you are choosing a table for a family room, look for storage coffee tables or rectangular coffee tables with a plain back or underside where a strap plate can be attached.

CPSC also maintains a recall search with a Tip Over hazard category for furniture and other products. If you already own a coffee table, check for recalls before installing a strap so you are not securing a table with a separate structural problem. CPSC also publicizes a federal furniture tip-over rule that became effective on September 1, 2023, and Anchor It offers consumer tip cards around that rule.

Tools and kit components

Anchor It lists the supplies you need in one trip: a furniture/TV anchoring kit, a drill and drill bit, a screwdriver, and a stud finder. The kit is used to attach a bracket to the wall and a second bracket or plate to the furniture, then connect them with a strap.

Before you start, set the table close to where it will stay. The strap should be short and tight, not stretched across a walkway. Move the furniture near the wall before attaching the furniture plate so you do not have to undo the wall bracket and start over.

• Furniture/TV anchoring kit with brackets, strap, and mounting hardware
• Drill and a drill bit sized for the screws in the kit
• Screwdriver, usually a Phillips head
• Stud finder to locate a solid wall anchor point

Choose the anchor point

The wall bracket has to go somewhere solid. Anchor It's method assumes you will attach a bracket to the wall, move the furniture close, and then connect the strap. Use a stud finder to locate a stud behind drywall; a screw in a stud is the most dependable anchor point.

A coffee table often sits in front of the sofa rather than against the wall. In that layout, route the strap to the closest wall behind the sofa, keeping it low and out of the walkway. If the table is far from any wall, you can attach it to a heavy furniture piece that is itself anchored. Check the second piece before relying on it: a bookcase or console that is not fixed to the wall just transfers the tipping risk. See the wall anchoring walkthrough and the sturdiness check for base issues to inspect first.

Install the strap step by step

Anchor It breaks the job into five simple steps. Work through them in order, and stop to re-read the kit instructions if anything does not line up.

• Attach a bracket to the wall at a stud.
• Move the furniture close to the wall.
• Attach the other bracket or plate to the furniture.
• Connect the strap to both brackets.
• Tighten the strap and make sure it is secure.

Check the installation and keep it secure

Anchor It's last instruction is the reality check: tug on the strap to be confident everything is secure. A loose strap is almost as bad as no strap because the table can rock before the strap catches. Pull firmly, then release; if the table stays still and the strap does not stretch, the installation is done.

Re-check the strap whenever you move the table for cleaning, change the rug, or take the table off the wall. Teach children not to climb on the table, and avoid stacking heavy objects near the edge where they make the table top-heavy. If you need to improve stability before adding a strap, see prevent coffee table tipping and coffee table stability on carpet.

• Tug the strap and inspect both brackets after installation.
• Re-tighten the strap if it has stretched or the table has moved.
• Check the wall bracket before every season or after a child uses the table.
• Look for cracks in the strap and for screws that have pulled loose.

If you rent or move

Renting is not a reason to skip the strap. Anchor It includes repair tips for covering anchor holes, so you can return the wall to its original condition when you leave. A couple of small holes are a minor repair compared with a tip-over incident, and the site is designed for people with no home improvement experience.

Before you buy a table, think about where the strap will go. A small coffee table is easier to keep close to the wall, while a large coffee table may have a bigger footprint but also more surface for a child to climb. For rental-friendly options and placement advice, see the renter guide and the kids play guide.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do coffee tables really need an anti tip strap?

They can. The CPSC Anchor It campaign says to anchor furniture with drawers, doors, or shelves to prevent tip-over injuries. A coffee table with a storage shelf, drawer, or lift top is in that group, especially in a home with young children.

Can I attach the strap to a heavy piece of furniture instead of the wall?

You can, but the CPSC method starts with a bracket fixed to the wall. If you use an adjacent heavy piece, it must also be anchored to the wall. Keep the strap short so it does not stretch across a walkway, and check it with a firm tug.

What tools do I need?

Anchor It lists a furniture/TV anchoring kit, a drill and drill bit, a screwdriver, and a stud finder. The kit supplies the brackets, strap, and mounting hardware.

How do I know the strap is tight enough?

Anchor It tells you to tug on the strap after installation and make sure it is secure. Re-check after you move the table, change the rug, or notice the strap has become slack.

Will the strap damage my coffee table?

The kit attaches a small plate to the back, underside, or lower frame with the included screws. Pick a hidden surface and follow the kit instructions. If you rent, the wall holes are easy to fill before you move out.