Bunk Bed Safety Rules: The Top Bunk

Having a bunk bed is a privilege. You get to have an awesome bed, but you also have to take responsibility. When you are on the top bunk or are telling your child about the rules for the top bunk, check out these tips.

Always use the ladder. When you get in bed, use the ladder. When you get out of bed, use the ladder. The ladder is there to help you get up and down. Not just up. If you try jumping down or sliding down, you can really hurt yourself, especially if you have guard rails up. The guard rails help to make sure that you stay safe when you are asleep and help you from falling out of bed. They can be in the way when you are trying to get down and you can end up getting caught on them.

Never jump on the bed. When you have a bunk bed, there are basically two beds stacked on top of each other. They can come apart with a little too much pressure. Even a small child can make the bunk bed come apart hurting themselves and whoever else may be on the bed or the floor next to it.

Only allow one child on the top bunk at once. More than one person on the top bunk can put too much weight on the supporting beams and will break the bunk bed. Also, when more than one person is on the top it can lead to them getting rowdy and out of hand. That can lead to them hurting themselves or others on the bottom bunk or floor. If you are worried about safety of having more than one child on the top bunk, you might allow them sometimes if and only if there is no more than 300 pounds on the top bunk or whatever the manufacturer recommends. The manufacturers test their products, especially children's products extensively and so they will be able to tell you what is best. Some bunk beds also aren't made as well and can't really handle the pressure and the strength that others can.

Do not allow the top bunk to be near anything like ceiling fans or light fixtures. These should be placed far away from the bunk bed and not within at least four feet of the guard rail. Children sometimes get curious and might try something like trying to hang from the ceiling fan like some people in movies do. Just to be safe, don't put anything near the bunk bed on the ceiling.

Make sure that you set down the rules before the bunk bed is bought. Let your children know what the rules will be and that they can only get the bunk bed and have that exciting privilege if they obey and agree to the rules. Bunk beds can be really fun and really nice for parents, but they also take a little more responsibility. Don't allow your child to be on the top bunk unless they are willing and able to take on the responsibility.

More Bunk Bed Safety

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