The lack of space is often the enemy of comfort, but what cannot be is that it is also of security. Sometimes the characteristics of a room, the home and the needs of the family make the only possible solution is to place a bunk so that the little ones sleep. But, if your children sleep in a bunk bed, it is necessary to take into account certain precautions.
And, according to the European Injury Database, every year 19,000 children are treated urgently for bunk-related injuries, mainly because they fall out of bed while they sleep or play, although It is not the only possible accident, as we will see.
Also the stairs pose a risk in the berths, since many accidents occur when falling from the stairs while children go up or down, which can cause very serious injuries.
In the most serious cases death can be achieved. It has happened with especially young children, due to strangulation due to falls from the stairs or asphyxiation when they are trapped in the lower bed by the bed base or the railing.
Another risk is that of being trapped between the wall and the bed if it does not have a railing on that side (which can also happen in normal beds). For all this, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics has developed recommendations to prevent child accidents in bunk beds.
What should you consider before buying or using a bunk?
Ok, we know the risks but there is no other way to organize the children's room. Then, we have to look for the safest litter possible, for which we will take into account the following warnings:
- Check on the label that the bunk meets the European standard EN 747-1: 2012.
- Check that there are railings on all four sides, even where it is attached to the wall.
- The railings must be firmly attached to the bunk structure. Those that are placed by hooks that anchor them by their own weight are not safe.
- The space between the berth frame and the protective barrier is less than 7.5 centimeters.
- The space between the bars of the railing is less than 7 centimeters.
- The bed base of the upper bed is fastened by straps or slats fixed to the bunk structure, so that it cannot fall even if the child below kicks it.
- The mattress has a correct size and leaves no free space either on the headboard or at the foot of the bed.
- The ladder is fixed and located in the longest part of the bunk.
How to use a berth safely?
Between the recommendations for bunk beds to be safe, there are the minimum ages to sleep in the bed above, the type of lighting in the room ... issues that we do not always consider but that are important to preserve the health of children.
- Always maintain protective barriers, even if the child is older.
- Children under six cannot sleep in the upper bed.
- Young children should not be alone in a room with bunk beds.
- Teach children to go up and down the stairs at all times, not to use chairs or other furniture.
- Install light bulbs or bulbs that provide sufficient visibility so that children can get up at night, if required.
- Prevent children from playing by jumping on bunk beds or other furniture.
- Use carpet floor to cushion the blow, if the child falls.
- It is not recommended that the bunk be surrounded by furniture or other objects.
- The lamps are better away from the bunk, since the contact of the bulb with the pillow, if it falls, can cause a fire; One option is to use LED, because they do not get hot. If they have cable, it must be fixed to the wall.
- The clamp lamps are not suitable for children's beds, as they can break off and cause a fire, in addition, the cable could cause a strangulation if the child falls.
- Do not place ropes, cords or decorative ribbons.
- Always keep the bunk in good condition, especially the protective barriers, the stairs and the slats of the bed base.
Of course, there are many issues to consider, but it is worth stopping in and making the children's room as safe as possible. As in the case of toys or other furniture, we should be attentive to any sign of deterioration because from there, from the most "harmless" object, several accidents can come.
Definitely, bunk beds can cause serious injury to children, so that before deciding on these beds we take into account the risks, and if there is no other remedy, we take all necessary precautions. Right now, some three-story bunk beds come to mind! I certainly don't think they followed the majority of safety regulations ...
