Kids love bunk beds and no wonder, there is just something plain fun about sleeping in them. Parents also love these beds and why wouldn’t they? When it comes to furnishing your child’s bedroom, they can be great space savers while at the same time keeping the family budget on track.

Although, bunk beds have come a long way from the stack able cot days it is still wise to make safety a key consideration in your choice. There is no arguing that kids love to play and to their vivid imaginations a bunk bed can become a castle in the air or the worlds most awesome tree house. Kids being kids, jumping, climbing and general shenanigans are apt to abound. Sadly, this can result in accidents and sometimes-serious injury. The good news is that injuries and accidents are preventable when you apply a little knowledge and common sense.

In order to prevent accidents it is essential to look at the new bed from two standpoints.

First, make sure the bed is safe. You can use this checklist as safety test.

• Ensure that it meets all requirements of ASTM International bunk beds standard. The bed should have a label indicating this.
• Make sure that it comes with complete assembly instructions and use guidelines. Always read these and follow the instructions carefully. Look for a label with safety warnings
• Conduct regular safety checks; be certain that the frame is sturdy and in the case of metal bunks check for any cracks in the welds. Never buy or use a bunk bed that does not measure up to this standard.
• The upper bunk should have guardrails on every side.
• Guardrails need to be spaced close enough together that a child cannot slip through.
• Corner posts and ladder uprights should not extend 5mm (0.2 inches) past the upper rim of the bed
• The mattress should fit tightly on all sides, and sit 127mm (5 inches) lower than the guardrails and end panels.
• Inspect the ladder to be certain it is tightly secured to the bed and in good condition. Never remove the ladder on a bunk bed for any reason.
• It is a good idea to check for any recalls. You can do this by contacting the retailer or the manufacturer.

Second, teach your children to use their bunk beds safely, establish and enforce some basic ground rules.

• Do not allow more than one child at a time on the top bunk
• Insist that they always use the ladder when climbing up or down from the top bunk
• Do not place a bunk bed near your windows. Children can strangle themselves on loose curtain cords and window blinds. Also, do not allow them to tie belts, cords or ropes to the bed.
• Restrict children from playing under a bunk bed unless it has been specifically designed for this kind of use.
• Never allow children less than 6 years of age to use the top bunk.

Parents will agree that the safety of our children is always at the forefront of our minds. By following these simple safety guidelines, you can protect your children from needless injury and give them years of fun. Even cooler yet is the fact that there are many great bunk beds to choose from that will make saying yes easy when your child asks for one. As a parent, isn’t it nice to have both peace of mind and an easy yes occasionally?