Father calls for safety checks after his glass patio table shatters without warning

The table (pictured) shattered suddenly

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A Rochdale father is calling for safety checks on glass tables after his patio table shattered without warning on Sunday (27 May).

Darren Smith, 36, shared photos of the shattered table and was quickly met with others sharing similar responses. He says he purchased the table from B&Q in June last year, and also shared a video of the glass crackling and popping after it broke at his home.

Mr Smith, who has a five-year-old son, Connor, with his wife, Nicola, said: “Apparently my table smashed on its own because of the sun or I ‘might have damaged it over the winter which was not visible to the naked eye’.

“The table was also covered with the umbrella and was only in the direct sunlight for about 20 seconds due to us taking the umbrella out to clean it. Just think what could have happened if a family with a small baby had been sat at it while it happened.

“These companies should hold their hands up and admit this product is not fit for purpose and recall them before something serious happens.”

Mrs Smith added: “We were lucky and save for scaring me, no one was hurt, but it could very easily have been a different outcome if Connor had been stood closer or even at the table when it happened.”

A spokesperson for B&Q said: “If damaged, toughened glass purposefully shatters into small granular pieces, much like glass used in car windscreens. This is a safety feature to reduce risk of injury, as it doesn’t form large jagged shards like normal glass. Toughened glass is used widely throughout the furniture industry, however incidents of this nature are still very rare. We have been in touch with Mr Smith, who has accepted a gift card for a replacement table.”