Bed Bunk Safety
Bunk beds have been identified as a potential source of serious injury in the home, especially to young children.
There is a mandatory Australian/New Zealand safety standard for bunk beds (AS/NZ:4220) which covers the essential safety features of bunk beds. When choosing a bunk bed check if it complies and if you’re not sure ask the retailer.
What you can do:– Although this standard covers important safety requirements, it is up to parents and caregivers to make sure bunk beds are safe for children.
The main points to check:– The ends and sides of the top bunk should be fitted with a safety rail or guard, the top of which is at least 160mm above the top of the mattress. If the bunks were purchased without safety guard-rails, buy them separately. All four sides of the top bunk should have roll-out protection. Do not allow children to use the top bunk without this important safety feature.
Are there any hanging spaces?:– These are gaps from 75mm to 230mm between the bunk bed and the wall, or between parts of the upper bunk. Some children’s bodies are small enough to pass through these gaps but their heads are not. Heads can become trapped and children can be hung by their own body weight.
This is a very serious and real hazard – remember you cannot supervise children 24 hours a day. The correct size mattress should fit snugly into the bed frame with a gap of no more than 25mm between it and the bed sides and ends. A mattress this size prevents any dangerous gaps.
Where will the bunk be located?:– Allow plenty of clear space between bunks and ceiling fans. Adults should be able to safely access the top bunk without risk from moving fan blades. There should be at least 2 metres clearance between ceiling fans and bunk beds.
Who will use the bunk bed?:– Children aged under six years should NEVER be allowed on the top bunk.
Other considerations:–
- Properly attached ladders are important to provide safe access to and from the top bunk, especially during the night.
- Provide some form of lighting for the person in the top bunk (night light, bedside lamp, torch) to make it safer getting in and out of bed.
- Regularly check the bed and attend to any loose bolts, broken parts or splinters.
- Remember to follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions closely (keep assembly instructions where you can find them for later use).
- Bunk beds were not intended for playing on. Ensure rules are established and obeyed.