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Selecting and Using a Bunk Bed
by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.
reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
If you have already familiarized yourself with the potential risks of letting your children have a bunk bed and you're still in the market to buy one, here are some useful tips provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the selection, use, and maintenance of bunk beds.
1. Selection
Choose bunk beds that have:
- guardrails on all sides that are screwed, bolted, or otherwise firmly attached to the bed structure.
- spacing between bed frame and bottom of guardrails that is no greater than 3 1/2 inches (89 mm).
- guardrails that extend at least 5 inches (127 mm) above the mattress surface to prevent a child from rolling off.
- crossties under the mattress foundation that can be securely attached.
- a ladder that is secured to the bed frame and will not slip when a child climbs on it.
- a feature that permits the beds to be separated to form two single beds if you have children too young to sleep safely on the upper bunk.
And finally, choose a mattress that correctly fits your bed, whether regular or extra long.
2. Use
- Always use two side guardrails on the upper bunk. Keep guardrails securely in place at all times no matter what the age of the child. Children move about during sleep and may roll out of bed.
- Do not permit children under six years of age to sleep in the upper bunk.
- Be sure crossties are under the mattress foundation of each bed and that they are secured in place, even if bunks are used as twin beds.
- Emphasize to children to use the ladder and not chairs or other pieces of furniture to climb into or out of the top bunk.
- Teach children that rough play is unsafe around and on beds and other furniture.
- Consider using a night light so that children will be able to see the ladder if they get up during the night.
3. Maintenance or safety repair
- If spacing between guardrails and bed frames is more than 3 1/2 inches (89 mm), nail or screw another rail to close the space to prevent head entrapment.
- Keep guardrails in good repair and securely in place.
- Replace loose or missing ladder rungs immediately.
- Repair or replace loose or missing hardware, including crossties immediately.
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Created June 12, 2001
Reviewed September 18, 2004
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