Because of the height associated with the loft levels these injuries are often more serious than if the same type of injury occurred on a regular furniture item lower to the ground.
Safe age bunk beds.
Most such injuries are from falls while sleeping or playing which means they probably could have been prevented if safety precautions had been followed.
Use guardrails on both sides of the top bunk.
To make sure your children enjoy their bunk safely be clear with them about the rules of use.
In the us there are thousands of bunk bed related injuries every year.
Use a safe model.
You can place a night lamp beside the bed so.
Mckenzie who works with the website make safe happen notes that while bunk beds can be convenient space saving sleeping arrangements there are an estimated 36 000 nonfatal bunk bed related.
When assembling the bunk bed ensure the guardrails are securely installed on all four sides of the raised bed or top bunk with correct spacing for access openings.
Do not allow children below six years of age to use the upper bunk.
Do not keep dangerous items near and around the bed.
While it s common sense that bunk beds should be safe before use approximately 36 000 bunk related injuries happen to children every year in the united states according to nationwide children s hospital.
By law all new bunk beds sold in australia must meet this standard.
Assemble the bunk beds in the corner of the bedroom so that it has two walls.
Bunk bed safety tips.
At what age are bunk beds safe your youngest may be ready to move into the bottom bunk of a bunk bed but your oldest isn t quite old enough for the top.
Bunk beds are frequently used as a child s first regular or big kid bed after he she outgrows a crib either at about age 2 or 35 inches 890 mm in height.
On average there are 36 000 per year and the sad thing is that they re completely preventable.
Also make sure that the bed you own or are thinking of buying meets current safety standards.
Despite the convenience two beds for the space of one the american academy of pediatrics and the consumer product safety commission say that children under six years old should never be.
Guardrails need to extend at least 5 inches above the mattress top which includes any added mattress pad s to prevent kids from rolling off.
Although bunk beds are a safety risk for any age only children over the age of 9 years should use the top bunk.
Only buy a bunk bed that complies with the australian standard as nzs 4220.
The gaps in the guardrails should be 3 5 inches or smaller to prevent strangulation.
Bunk beds are convenient for kids who share a bedroom.
Explain to them that playing around or jumping on the bunk bed is not safe.
Check connections and fasteners regularly to ensure they are strong and secure so that the bunk bed can hold the weight of the child or adult and won t collapse.
Follow the manufacturer s instructions for assembly to be sure it is put together correctly.