Bunk Bed Safety Tips

Keep heights happy for you and your family

Lofted or bunked beds maximize space in rooms, and add a unique look to any environment.  However when used as kids furniture there is a greater risk involved with the higher perches.  Awareness of safety issues and strict adherence to bunk bed and lofted bed safety tips will prevent any injuries in your home.

Bunk bed safety tips

Look for a dealer that sells a quality product and stands behind it.

Follow instructions carefully when assembling a new bunk bed.

Follow all guidelines for guardrail height and spacing between frame and rails.

Always use guard rails on both sides.

Allow only children six years or older to sleep on upper bunks.

Make sure the ladder is amply wide and permanently attached to the frame.

Use only properly-sized, manufacturer-recommended mattresses.

Make sure there are no openings wide enough for a child's head or torso to pass through.

Prohibit more than one person on the upper bunk.

Prohibit horseplay on or under the beds.

Discuss safety concerns and the proper usage of bunk beds with your children.

Bunk bed safety standards

New mandatory safety standards on all bunk bed models is expected to help reduce injury and concern related to lofted bed perches. Since mid-2000, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires all bunk beds sold in the United States to comply with these standards:

Every bunk bed must have an affixed label that states the bed's manufacturer, model, and mattress size information.

Every bunk bed must have a warning label that advises against placing children under six years of age in the upper bunk.

If the bunk bed is taller than 30 inches, it must have a continuous guardrail on the wall side of bed.

Openings on the upper and the lower bunks must be small enough that a child's head, torso, or limb cannot pass through them.

High alert

Important safety regulations and increased awareness in the public about bunk bed and lofted bed danger prevents many injuries, but make sure your kids know how to behave according to safety tips to ensure no problems in your home.

More information on bunk beds