subject: Bunk beds – The safety factors [print this page] Bunk beds The safety factors Bunk beds The safety factors
For today's families, space is a big issue as most of them reside in small and congested apartments in big cities. It's not very easy to find a spacious and yet affordable houses or flats, and thus most of us are faced with either a crammed apartment or empty bank balance. And when there is an addition to the family it creates a whole new situation where you have to create new space and comforts for the newest member. And bunk beds can work best, especially if you have an older child for whom you need to find a new place to sleep.
Making kids sleep in a room on their own is quite a process initially. They need to feel they are given a honour to get a room for themselves. More than that, the room has to have some attraction for them and bunk beds can be one of those many attractions. Because, it can be a source to many games and dreams for a child. It could be exciting for a child to sleep closer to the ceiling, especially if there are pictures of planets and stars there. It becomes so easy for them to pretend they are in a spaceship or a rocket.
Well, that's about all the fun. Now what about safety? Safety is the main factor you need to consider while planning on a bunk bed for your child. There are many aspects that need to be checked to ensure the safety of the bunk beds.
Rails The guard rails on the sides of the bunk beds have to be of the right height and width. For example, if they are too short, the child might fall off from above the rails. Similarly, the rails should be strong enough to support the child when he or she turns or toss on the bed.
Mattress The mattress size should match the cot, especially in the case of the upper bed. Because, if it is bigger than the cot there are chances that the child might slide off from the bed and fall down. And if it is smaller, the gap between the rails and the bed could be too wide.
Upper bunk - One of the most common threats in the case of a bunk bed is that the upper bunk might come down if it is not strong enough. This is quite a serious issue as it could create serious injury for the child if the bed falls when the child is there on the lower bed. You could check whether the bed has passed all the safety instructions before purchasing.
Stairs to the upper bed - Most of the bunk bed companies make sure that the stairs can hold the weight of the child at least for 10 years. Still it would be better if you can confirm it before purchasing. Bunk beds are a one-time investment which should be useful at least till the child becomes a teen.
Purchasing a bunk bed has become quite convenient now with so many companies providing online shopping. It is easy as you needn't bring the heavy bed home by yourself since most of these companies would deliver at home. However, make sure you check the credentials of the shop to ensure that you've got a quality product that can add a lot of fun and excitement for your little ones.
