Ensuring bunk bed safety |
Cecilia and Jake were expecting their third child. Their two young boys, Andrew and Nathan were sharing a bedroom to make room for the new baby.
To save space in the boys´ room, they decided to buy a bunk bed. After searching a few second-hand furniture shops, they found one that looked reasonably new and sturdy.
Jake and Cecilia decided that 10-year-old Andrew would sleep on the top bunk. Nathan was only six so they worried that he might not be able to climb the ladder safely. Jake made sure that the bunk bed had safety guardrails around the top bunk.
What else should Jake and Cecilia have done before buying the bunk bed?
Jake and Cecilia should have considered not buying bunk beds. Single beds are much safer for children because they are lower to the ground.
If they still wished to buy the bunk bed, Jake and Cecilia should also have checked the safety requirements. There must be:
- no gaps between 95 mm and 230 mm anywhere on the bunk bed, including between the mattress and the guardrail, between the bed and the wall, and between the ladder railings
- guardrail at least 160 mm above the top of the mattress on the top bunk to prevent a child rolling off
- no protrusions over 8 mm that may catch a child´s clothes.
Jake and Cecilia should also have checked that:
- the ladder was properly attached
- the ceiling fan was more than two metres away from all parts of the bunk
- there was a lamp on the top bunk.
Jake and Cecilia should have made it clear to both boys that playing on the bed is dangerous and only the older child should go up to the top bunk. No child under nine years should be placed in a top bunk.
Read more about bunk bed safety.
Last reviewed 21/12/2011 |
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