I hate Bunkbeds!

The kids and I stopped by Big's Furniture today to look at that sofa I've been drooling about. We got there and I was immediately excited by the great furniture and prices. It was awesome.


When we move into our new home the queen size bed in Goo's room will go into C's "ManCave".


 This leaves Goo without a bed. So on a whim I asked to look at kids beds. Goo finds this one.

I HATE bunk beds! I think they are dangerous for children and anyone that puts their kid in it is irresponsible! I realize that this statement will offend people but I don't care. They will realize that I am right the first time their child falls off the top bunk!

 I slept in the top bunk and I can tell you that my older sister Newt would get mad at me and kick the top bunk as hard as she could. It hurt but one day she kicked it so hard she lifted the bunk bed mattress and support up. They both went off balance and crashed down right on top of Newt. It broke her nose (she deserved it too!) and just goes to illustrate the very real dangers

A study in the journal Pediatrics has found that more than 35,000 children and young adults get hurt on bunk bed each year. Half of the injuries affect children under age 6 and they were related to falls having to do with the ladder or jumping off. Most injuries were cuts, scrapes, and bruises but 20% were fractures.

…most bunk bed–related injuries are associated with objects around the bed, by children playing in and around the bed, or by children jumping on and off the bed

Even worse, males are injured more often than females. There’s even “bunk bed fracture” caused by children jumping or falling with their feet/legs out-stretched.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends:

1. Guardrail gaps are <= 3.5 inches to prevent hanging and strangulation
2. Side rails are present on both sides
3. Mattress foundation is sturdy and secure
4. Mattress of correct size is used
5. Children younger than 6 years should not sleep in the upper bunk
6. Children should be discouraged from playing on bunk beds
7. Night lights should be used to prevent falls
8. Hazardous objects should be removed from around the bed
9. Bunk beds should not be placed too close to ceiling fans or other ceiling fixtures

I also found this statement from an Emergency Room doctor.

Bunk Bed ER DOC.



Bunk beds are commonly used in American households, yet to our knowledge, no studies have been done to determine if they are safe. We prospectively studied the incidence, epidemiology, and outcome of injuries related to bunk beds. We interviewed all patients with such injuries who presented to the emergency department between February 1987 and February 1988. A control group of children who use bunk beds but who came to the emergency department for another reason were also interviewed. There were 68 injured children and 54 controls during the 1-year study period. There were 47 injured children (70% of this group) and 26 control children (48% of this group) younger than 6 years, which is below the age recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for bunk bed use. Carpeted floors were significantly more common in the control group, 67% (36 children) vs 42% (26 children). Injuries occurred most often when the child fell from the top bed (38 children [58%]), fell off the ladder (7 children [11%]), or fell off the bottom bed (8 children [12%]). Injuries occurred during sleep (19 children [29%]), getting in or out of the bunk bed (13 children [20%]), or playing in or near the beds (28 children [43%]). Of those injured while asleep, 13 of 19 children were younger than 6 years. Head injuries accounted for half the trauma (35 children [52%]), and extremities were involved in 16 patients [24%]. The most common injuries were lacerations (27 children [40%]) and contusions (19 children [28%]), but 8 children (12%) had concussions and 7 children (10%) had fractures. Six children (9%) required admission to the hospital. Head and face injuries were significantly more likely if the top bed had no side rails. These data suggest injuries could be prevented if side rails were mandatory for all top beds, young children were not permitted to sleep in bunk beds, and all children were encouraged not to use the beds for play.


So I ask you as a parent...  Why take the chance with your baby?????