Safe Bunkbeds for Kids

Age

• If your child is under 10 years of age, there is a great chance that no upper bunk will be safe enough, no matter what safety features the bunk bed has. A study published in Pediatrics magazine in June 2008 found that over three quarters of bunk-bed-related injuries occurred to children under age 10. One half of these injuries happened to children under age six.

  The best way to prevent this is to wait until your oldest child is at least six and preferably above 10 to put him on a top bunk.

Guardrails

• Although it might seem obvious that a top bunk should have a guardrail on the outside to protect your child from falling, you should make sure that there is a rail on the other side as well. Even though one side of the bed will presumably be against the wall, there is a higher chance of children getting hurt when both sides didn't have a rail.

Space in Rail

• The gaps between the guardrails running alongside the bed should be less than 3 1/2 inches each to prevent children from getting stuck. Young children, in particular, might be curious as to what would happen if they try to stick their hands, arms or head in between the slats.

  A space that is much bigger than this might be wide enough for children to fit their entire bodies through, which defeats the purpose of the rail, while a space that is slightly bigger might allow them to get their heads or bodies stuck. A small space of 3 1/2 inches should prevent any problems.

Fitted Mattress

• The mattress that is put on the bed should fit snugly into place. There should be no gaps or spaces on either side of the mattress to prevent children from falling in, getting stuck or tripping and falling off the bed.

  Additionally, the foundation of the mattress should be secure so that it does not cause the child to trip when she tries to get off. A mattress that moves or that raises one side when the other side is stepped on is a tripping hazard and is dangerous for a top bunk.