A convertible protective shelter for people to shelter and stay in during unsafe situations, such as earthquakes and windstorms. The shelter can protect occupants from falling materials or debris. This shelter is readily convertible into a table for general household use when it is not required, and can be readily deployed when it is required. A plurality of elongate support members which form the arched structure of the shelter may be converted into leg structures for the undeployed shelter (table). The shelter can also be provided with at least one protective door, which optionally can be foldable to facilitate storage of the protective door when the shelter is not in use.