A cathode ray tube having a metal reinforcing band girdling its envelope adjacent the face plate is provided with a transparent protective panel which covers the face plate and is affixed to the latter by a transparent conductive layer of an adhesive resin filling a space therebetween, and one or more conductive connecting elements providing an electrically conductive connection between the transparent conductive layer and the reinforcing band which is grounded. The transparent panel and the transparent conductive layer cooperate to protect the face plate from damage that might cause implosion of the tube envelope, and the connection of the transparent conductive layer to ground ensures that the protective panel will not be electrified, whereby to eliminate any shock hazard from contact therewith.