subject: 3 Areas To Consider In Avoiding Bunk Bed-related Injuries [print this page]
Bunk beds are economical and convenient as they can provide more space in your room than two single-story beds. Yet, bunk bed related-injuries are also a common reason for clinic or emergency room visits. Safety measures must be observe to avoid these kinds of injuries, here are some guidelines you can follow.
Bunk bed installation
In bunk bed construction, proper guidelines should be followed to maintain safety. The top bunk should have siderails with a space for entering and exiting which should be at least 15 inches and below, the railings to should be at least about 5 inches above the top surface of the mattress. Get a mattress that fits securely in the unit, any larger or smaller can cause injury or damage to the bunk bed. Check the ladder's durability and always remind your kids to use it and not elsewhere for climbing up, keep the ground below the ladder free from objects that may cause slipping. Bunk bed positioning
The location of the bunk bed would also matter if you want to maintain safety. The bunk bed must be away from a ceiling fan or any ceiling lights. Never position the bunk bed beside the windows, especially if the room is located on the 2nd floor or upwards. Also maintain a good distance from the top bunk to the ceiling, allowing adequate space for a person to sit upright without hitting his head on the ceiling.
Safety on bunk bed
If you are using a bunk bed, proper actions must be observed to promote safety and prevent injury. Most injuries relating to bunk beds are due to falls and would involve mostly young children. So parents should be responsible for their kids of age 6 and below, and never leave them out of their sight atop a bunk bed. Moreover, it is much better if younger children would occupy the lower bed. Don't leave or hang any items like hooks, belts, ropes or anything that can cause strangulation if left unnoticed as well as keep sharp and pointed objects away from the vicinity of the bunk bed. To prevent injury due to collapsing bunk bed, only one person should be on top of the bed at a time and there should be no unnecessary or restless actions while on bed. As parents, always remind the children about the bunk bed safety rules before sleeping, relate again the rules especially if your kids has some friend sleeping in his room for a night.
To sum it all up, as parents of young kids, safety is always a top priority. Aside from a constant reminder, you can effectively lessen the chances of injuries by positioning well the bunk bed and removing objects that may cause any potential hazard.
by: Jacob Schiffer
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