Bunk Bed Safety Tips 

From college campuses to children’s bedrooms nationwide, the bunk bed is an important piece of furniture for small children and young adults.  The reason why the bunk bed is so ubiquitous is that it is a space saver.  Instead of spreading two beds over precious ground space in a bedroom or dorm room, beds can be stacked safely to take up half the floor space. 

However, bunk beds improperly installed and maintained can be dangerous for those who sleep on them or use them as a study space.  There are plenty of tips in order to protect your loved ones from harm in what is supposed to be one of the safest places in their lives: the bedroom.

Bunk Bed Installation

There are some simple steps that can be taken when installing a bunk bed in order to prevent injuries or damage to property.  One step is to take careful measurement of the size of the upper bunk, which determines the size of the frame and the lower bunk.  Ideally, the top bunk would be equal to or greater than 74" (6'2") in length and 38" (3'2") in width. 

Another step is to make sure that the top bunk mattress is not so large that it rises over the guardrail.  The best way to ensure this safety measure is to make sure that the mattress and foundation are no larger than 8 inches and that the mattress is at least 5 inches below the guard rail.  These measurements ensure that the bunk bed will be balanced, will fit conventional bunk bed frames, and will allow more room for kids as they grow.  Though this is a simple step, it is certainly one that people may overlook in looking for the best deal on new beds.

Another step is to install bunk bed safety rails on the long sides of the top bunk.  These rails are typically made out of hard plastic or metal, though metal is the safest choice because of its tensile strength.  Guardrails should be installed on both sides of the bed, to prevent falls from the bed and to keep the user from getting caught between the bed and the wall. 

While rails alone give parents and friends a sense of security, they need to be installed properly in order to maximize safety.  Proper installation involves tightening the screws connecting rail to frame as much as possible, doing a test of the rail by pulling on it with your hands, and checking regularly to make sure that the screws have not come loose.  These simple steps have been proven to make bunk bed usage much safer.

Bunk Bed Safety Rules

For parents who want to make sure that the bunk bed doesn’t lead to mishaps during playtime, a few simple rules can be set up in order to keep the bed’s integrity intact.  The first rule that should be established is that absolutely no horseplay allowed on the bunk bed, most especially on the top bunk.  This includes playing games like catch or tag, which can cause undue stress and unnecessary wear and tear on the bed frame.  As well, one bad move by a child on the top bunk can cause a broken leg or other serious injuries. 

Another rule that is important is to prohibit more than one person to be on a bunk bed at one time.  Having several people on a bunk can cause the bunk bed to jostle and weaken not only the bed frame, but also the foundation of the top bunk.  A good rule of thumb is to make sure that less than 300 pounds is on the top bunk at all times.  This may not be a problem for a child, but a group of children or a few college students can easily get up to 300 pounds and beyond.

There are a few more tidbits that can help parents and others determine the safest installation of bunk beds. 

• Bunk beds should always have ladders or steps leading to the top bunk, which is the safest way to reach the top level of the bunk frame.  Some kids and young adults may want to climb up the side of the frame, but this has led to many injuries and broken bed frames from repeated abuse. 
• Bunk beds should never have water or other flotation devices as part of the mattress because leakage and instability ensue from such beds. 
• Finally, and most importantly for young children, there should never be any hanging attachments from the ceiling onto the top bunk.  Mobiles and other objects hung from the ceiling can be choking hazards or can be harmful if they fall from their fixed positions. 

These steps seem like they are common sense, but it is always good to have a checklist of considerations going into any home improvement project.  Bunk beds are great space savers and fun for kids, but their proper installation is critical for their maximum efficiency.