Every year thousands of children are admitted to hospital emergency rooms due to incidents involving bunk beds involving improper use, manufacturing, or set up. If your follow our 10 point safety checklist, bunk beds can still be a great bedding solution for your children:
Reputable manufacturer
Look for manufacturers that are established, and have a long history of manufacturing bunk beds. A good manufacturer will also stand behind their product by providing a lifetime warranty.
ASTM and CPSC guidelines
Ask
retailer if it meets voluntary safety guidelines of American Standards of Testing and Materials and minimum safety standards of Consumer Product Safety Commission. If it does, you'll know that bed meets all current and reasonable safety standards.
Strong frame construction
Examine and test durability and strength of bunk bed frame. It should easily hold a parents weight - climb on it and wiggle frame a bit. A good bunk bed with remain firmly grounded without movement or noise.
Only rounded edges
Check entire bed construction for smoothness of materials and fasteners. There should be no sharp edges or protruding points anywhere in construction.
Measure safety rails
Safety rails should run on both sides of top bunk, and lower rail should be no higher than 3 1/2 inches above top of mattress height - any higher and your children could slip underneath it. Also make sure top rail is at least 5 inches above mattress top to prevent your child from rolling over safety rails.
Ensure proper mattress fit
Strangulation deaths have occurred in US when children fall through openings between mattress and frame during night. Make sure mattress opening snugly fits mattress without a lot adjustment room. If mattress has a gap greater than 3 inches from any side of mattress to bed frame, headboard or footboard - it does not fit properly.
