Safe Table Lamps for a Children's Room

Size

• Many items designed for children need to be smaller than ones designed for adults, and this includes lamps. Select table lamps that are small, short, and easy to handle. The shade should be small as well, as a child may jostle a shade that is too large, or find it more difficult to use a lamp with a large shade, as it is more difficult to reach a switch in the case of a lamp designed with a switch near the bulb.

Material

• Look for lamps that won't shatter if they fall. Avoid glass and ceramic lamps. Wood and plastic lamps are good. Avoid shades with metal components, which can get hot, or fabric shades, which can get dirty. As far as the weight of the lamp goes, there are two qualities you can look for. If your child is prone to accidents, you may want something very lightweight that won't harm her should it fall. Otherwise, try looking for a lamp with a very sturdy, stable and heavy base that is difficult to tip.

Design

• The design of a lamp or its particular features is an important safety consideration. The switch should be easy to reach and manipulate. Consider purchasing a touch lamp, which is even easier for a child to use, as she merely needs to touch the lamp to turn it on and off. If your child is forgetful or likes to sleep with the light on, you can purchase lamps that turn off automatically after a certain period of time, which saves energy and improves safety.

Bulb

• Although the bulb is not inherently part of the lamp, it should be an important safety consideration. Many types of bulbs can get very hot and burn your child. For instance, never use a halogen bulb in a child's table lamp. A compact fluorescent bulb, or CFL, can be a bad choice as well, since these bulbs contain mercury, and breaking one could be quite hazardous. Look for lamps that use low-wattage bulbs, which won't get quite as hot as normal bulbs. If you're worried about the light being too dim, use stronger bulbs in overhead lighting, or have more than one table lamp available. Using an LED bulb is another option. These bulbs are expensive, but last for a very long time, and do not get hot.