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Consumer Information - Bunk Bed Safety

2009
ISBN: 0-662-68847-3
Cat. No.: H46-2/05-397

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The Issue

Since 1987, there have been more than 60 injuries or near misses associated with bunk beds reported to Health Canada. Some of these incidents were related to strangulation or suffocation by entrapment, and some resulted in death. There were also incidents related to falls.

A report from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) indicates that between 1999 and 2006, there were 2,530 bunk bed-related injuries in Canada. Over 65% of these injuries (1650 in total) were related to incidents occurring from the top bunk.

What You Can Do:

• Do not allow children younger than 6 years of age on the top bunk.
  • If the manufacturer allows for this option, consider removing and storing the top bunk, or setting it next to the lower bunk until the child is old enough to use it. If the top bunk is used on the floor, never use the guard rails as these have been designed to be used with a child of at least 6 years of age; their use with a younger child could lead to potentially hazardous entrapments. Follow all manufacturer instructions when doing this. Check that there are no catch points on the newly exposed parts of the lower bunk that could present a strangulation hazard.
• Allow only one person at a time on the top bunk.
• The ladder should always be securely attached to the bed. Teach children to use the ladder to get safely up and down. Consider placing a nightlight nearby to make using the ladder safer in the dark.
• Keep bunk beds away from window blinds and curtains with cords, as children can become entangled in them and possibly strangle.
• Look for a label that indicates that the bunk bed meets the safety standards.
• Ensure any belts, ties or sashes on children's bathrobes, dressing gowns, housecoats and robes are removed or stitched firmly to the centre back of the clothing. These can be serious strangulation hazards. Health Canada has received reports of deaths related to these items and bunk beds.
• Do not allow children to keep large toys or other objects, such as items with cords, in the bed. They may present a suffocation or strangulation hazard.
• Check the bunk bed regularly to ensure that it is in good condition. Check that the welds in metal bunk beds are still strong.
• Regularly check screws and other attachments to ensure they are securely fastened as they may loosen over time.

When Purchasing a Bunk Bed (New and Used):

• Health Canada recommends purchasing only bunk beds meeting the latest ASTM F1427 safety standard for bunk beds. Know before you buy; check the label, visit the manufacturer's Web site, or ask the retailer, to find out if the bunk bed you are considering meets these standards.
• Check that the bed comes with instructions for assembly and use. Read and follow these carefully.
• To reduce the risk of clothing getting caught on parts of the bunk bed, corner posts and ladder uprights should not extend more than 5mm (0.2 inches) above the upper edge of the bed (for example, the guardrails). This reduces the risk of strangulation.
• The mattress must fit tightly against all sides of the bed, otherwise the child might get caught in the space and suffocate. When buying a replacement mattress, ensure it is the correct size and thickness for the bunk bed. The warning label required by the ASTM standard specifies these dimensions. If the mattress is too thin or soft, the child could get trapped between the underside of the guard rail and the mattress.
• The top of the mattress should be at least 130 mm (5 inches) below the top of the guardrails and end panels. This lowers the risk of the child falling out of bed.
• Make sure the top bunk has guard rails on both sides of the bed even if the bed is next to a wall and ensure these are installed at all times. A child can become trapped between the wall and the bed if a guard rail is missing.
• The bed should have a label that identifies the manufacturer, distributor or seller. There should also be a warning label attached permanently to the inside of the bed. These labels should never be removed, modified or moved as they contain important safety information.