Bunk beds with slides are getting more and more popular. Sales have skyrocketed, according to The Times, with the revenue from slide bunk beds rising by up to 300%. But these products, while extremely trendy, can still be dangerous if they are not installed properly, or are of bad quality.
This blog will be going through how accidents through bunk beds with slides can be prevented and avoided.
What age is Safe for a Bunk Bed with a slide?
Recommended Minimum Age
The widely recommended minimum age that your child should begin using a bunk bed with a slide is around 7-8 yrs old.
Physical and Emotional Readiness
The reason that your little one should not be introduced to a slide bunk bed from an early age is because climbing the ladder to the top bunk may prove a challenge and be potentially very dangerous. Children are only ready to move into a bunk bed with a slide when they seem like they kick about less, and their hand-eye coordination is more mature.
Also, your child may have a fear of heights, or has a habit of sleepwalking, both of which would be very dangerous if they were to sleep in a bunk bed with a slide.
UK Safety Standards for Bunk Beds with Slides
The UK has very strict standards that all bunk beds, and bunk beds with slides, must adhere to, such as the fact that every bunk bed must have guardrails that rise over 16cm above the mattress.
BS EN 747 Compliance
All bunk beds, including slide bunk beds, must comply with these regulations, which provide the following rules regarding the safety of bunk beds:
- Strong structure
- Detailed instructions
- Correct dimensions
Slide-Specific Safety Considerations
While bunk beds have safety considerations, so do the slides that sometimes come with the bed.
Make sure that, when choosing the bunk bed with a slide, the slide is not too slippery, and contains a small amount of friction.
Top Safety Features to Look for
- Sturdy Guardrails
- Secure Ladders
- Sturdy Guardrails
- Rounded Edges
- Sturdy Guardrails
- Smooth Finishes
- Sturdy Guardrails
- Safe Mattress Height
- Sturdy Guardrails
- Anti - Slip Slide Design
Safe Setup Tips for Parents
- Proper placement in the room: Place the slide bunk bed against a wall, so your child will have a smaller chance of falling out of it. Also, try to place it away from windows, radiators or ceiling fans.
- Anchoring the bed: Make sure that the bed is placed on a smooth, flat surface , to minimise any chance of the bed collapsing or falling over.
- Supervision: When your child goes to bed, you should take a look and ensure that they are not too energetic, which could cause them to accidentally fall off the bed. You could also place a pillow or other item as a blockade to prevent this from happening.
- Soften Landing Place: The slides that can attach to bunk beds usually go quite fast, so you’ll need to place a soft rug or pillow to guarantee your little one’s safety.
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Make Rules: Your child needs to know what they’re allowed to do and not allowed to do. For example:
- No jumping
- No climbing up the slide
- Tidy away sharp items when using the ladder
- Only one child on the top bunk at a time
- Climb up the ladder one step at a time
- No jumping
- Keep toys off the slide
When to Avoid a Slide Bunk Bed
Small Bedrooms or Low Ceilings
Bunk beds are usually quite bulky, due to there being two beds, and many other accessories to think about, such as the slides and cushions. Small bedrooms, and those with low ceilings, will not be able to accommodate these beds, so please measure out how big your child’s room is before purchasing a bunk bed.
Underage or Unsupervised Children
As said before, children under the age of 6 should not be sleeping in bunk beds with slides, due to safety issues. Also, children who regularly sleepwalk, as well as children who have ADHD or are prone to overexcitedness, should steer clear of bunk beds with slides, and bunk beds in general.
Benefits of Bunk Beds and Bunk Beds with Slides
When you and your child use the bunk bed responsibly and safely, a plethora of benefits will arise:
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Encourages Physical Activity and Independence: Climbing in and out of the bunk bed provides children with a good amount of energy, and sliding down the slide can give them happiness and liveliness. Also, the process of learning to climb up the ladder to go to bed is not only a source of exercise, but is good for their hand-eye coordination as well.
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Saves Space: While bunk beds can be quite large, they do save a lot of space if you have two or more children. With an elevated level to sleep, the lower level can be used as a play area, study desk, or another bed for a different child to sleep in. With this extra amount of space, your children can have much more fun.
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Added Fun: Bunk beds with slides can double as a basic indoor climbing frame, and children can have lots of fun climbing up the ladder at bedtime, and sliding down the slide in the mornings. Furthermore, The lower level can serve as an adventure den, where the child’s imagination will run wild. Therefore bunk beds with slides offer more fun in a smaller, more secluded space, which is perhaps the reason for their rise in popularity.
Recommended Slide Bunk Beds from Small Smart
Here are some models that can be bought on the Small Smart website:
Stylish and Safety First designs:
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Parisot Tobo Mid - Sleeper bed with Slide and Drawers
- Estella High sleeper bed with Storage, Desk and Futon
- Ordi 4 Midi Playhouse mid sleeper bed with Desk and Cube
Eco-Friendly and Functional Options:
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Trasman Girona Mid Sleeper Bed
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Parisot Higher High Sleeper Bed with Desk and Cupboard
- Kids Avenue Eli F Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed
When to move on from the bunk bed
From around the age of 10-16, the child should be beginning to think about moving on from the bunk bed. Also, if they’re feeling like their sleeping is getting cramped or uncomfortable in any way, then again, maybe think about moving on.
Bunk beds usually have the space to accommodate children of up to 160cm height, and a weight of around 80kg. If your child surpasses any of these, they should not be using the bed anymore.
Some good transition options are a low bed or a single bed with drawers. It’s important to recognise when your child is not suitable for the bed anymore, as sleep is vital to a child’s wellbeing, and should be as comfortable an experience as possible.
FAQs About Slide Bunk Bed Safety
1. Can the slide be removed?
Yes, the slide can be removed from most slide bunk beds if it is necessary.
2. Which is better: stairs or a ladder?
Stairs are easier to climb so are more suitable for younger children, but ladders save up space, so are more convenient.
3. Can kids get hurt using the slide?
Yes, it’s possible, so please ensure your child knows about safe use of the slide before using it.
Final Thoughts
Bunk beds, especially those with slides, are fun, safe, and when used responsibly, incredibly beneficial. So, if your child feels bored, and they want something really exciting in their life, it’s time to get a bunk bed!
