Bunk Bed Safety Rules: The Bottom Bunk

Having a bunk bed can be really fun. Your kids get to have all this space and it can make them feel like they are in a cave or tent if they are on the bottom bunk. There are tons of great times that they can have on their bunk bed, but to make sure that they always have fun and don't hurt themselves, make sure that your children follow these bottom bunk safety tips.

First off, never ever ever kick the top bunk's mattress. It will cause the top bunk's mattress to become dislodged and it will fall onto the bottom bunk or the floor. It is the number one way that mattresses get dislodged and a huge cause of why people get hurt on and near bunk beds. Do not allow your children to kick the mattress and if they do, give them the proper punishment.

Also, do not allow your child to hang anything from the top bunk. If they want a little curtain or some stars hanging down, come up with a different solution than hanging them from a string. Attach the stars to the bottom of the top bunk's mattress or on the walls surrounding the bunk bed. Having something hanging down like that may not seem like that big of a deal but it is a huge strangulation hazard. There have been tons of children hurt by parents allowing them to hang things from their beds. Do not allow anything to hang.

Make sure that the bottom bunk also has a guard rail along the side near the floor. If your child is young then they need the extra protection. It's like how toddler beds have a guard rail. Younger children aren't as used to beds and can really hurt themselves, much more than an adult can if they fall out of bed.

Make sure that the right size mattress is being used. If too much space is in between the mattress and the bed frame, there is a huge suffocation risk. People don't always know what they are doing when they are half asleep or asleep and so too much space can lead to death. Make sure that you buy the correct size mattress or the one the manufacturer makes. If you need a replacement mattress, manufacturers sell them.

Make sure that the bottom bunk is secure against the wall and if it's not attach it to the wall or add a guard rail on that side. Again, too much space is a suffocation hazard. It is the same for top bunks. Attach the bunk bed to the wall or make sure that there is a proper guard rail up on that side.

Being safe around bunk beds is very important. You can't take enough precautions with children. They are much more fragile than adults and have a harder time understanding that things can hurt them. Make sure that you inform you child and are making sure that the bunk bed is safe and secure for them.

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