Bunk Beds – Fun for Kids…Functional for Parents

When you have two or more kids sleeping in the same bedroom, bunk beds are a good way to let them have their own bed and not have the room space compromised. Your older kids can sleep on the top bunk and your younger ones can sleep on the bottom bed. And when your kids grow-up, this piece of furniture can still be used for when you have house guests.

Bunk beds come in either wood or metal, twin over twin, twin over full, full over full, futon, and loft bed. They come in a variety of colors such as black, cherry, chocolate, espresso, white, maple, oak, pecan, pine, and walnut. With the assortment of colors and styles to choose from you’re sure to find one to match your home décor.

The eco-friendly classic bunk bed (a.k.a. Children’s Four-In-One Sleep System) can be easily broken down into its individual apparatus for easy moving and reconfiguration. This system can be changed from bunk beds to a twin bed with a trundle, to hi-low beds, or to two separate twin beds.

Although this may be a fun piece of furniture for kids and a great way to save space, one important thing that we must remember above everything else is that safety should ALWAYS come first.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises the following (CPSC Document #5007) regarding bunk beds:
1. Never allow children under 6 years-old on the upper bunk.
2. Close the space between the lower edge of the guardrail and upper edge of the bed frame to 3-1/2 inches or less.
3. A guardrail placed next to the wall, on the lower bunk as well as the upper bunk, will help reduce the risk of entrapment.
4. Mattresses and/or foundations resting only on ledges need fastened cross wires, or other means of support to help prevent dislodgement, even when beds are used as twin beds.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises the following Safety Warning (CPSC Document #5001) regarding bunk beds:
1. Secure fasten supports to ledges of both beds with screws or bolts.
2. Supports can be provided by wood slats, metal straps, or sturdy wires.
3. If mattresses or foundations on either bunk bed rely on side rail ledges as the only means of support, consumers should write to the following address for a free cross wire support kit:
Bunk Bed Kit
P.O. Box 2436
High Point, NC 27261

One more thing to remember when purchasing a mattress for the top bunk be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation regarding the maximum thickness/height to ensure that the safety rail works properly.

A great source for these solid constructed bunk beds is Specialty Bunk Beds.com!