The Consumer Product Safety Commission, today issued three warning recommendations regarding bunk beds following reports of a number of deaths and injuries associated with the product. The most common problems and CPSC recommendations are:
MATTRESS SUPPORT: There is a potential hazard regarding bunk beds in which the mattress supports are not secured to the bunk bed frames. The supports rest on narrow ledges attached to the side rails, and can easily be dislodged by a child kicking or pushing them. The Commission knows of at least three deaths since 1973 involving this danger.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: Fasten additional cross ties underneath the mattress supports of both beds, or permanently screw the mattress supports to the bunk bed frames. This will reduce the risk of the mattress and support falling through and landing on a child who may be under either bed.
SPACE BETWEEN THE GUARDRAILS AND THE MATTRESS: Some bunk beds have a space between the lower edge of the guardrails and the top surface of the mattress. A young child can slip through these small openings (if more than 3% inches) feet first when his/her weight presses the mattress down. The child's head can then be caught between the guardrail and the depressed mattress, causing strangulation. The Commission knows of at least four deaths since 1973 involving this hazard.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: Attach additional boards to the bunk bed, closing any space over three and half inches. Mattress depressions vary, and the space should be measured between the lower edge of the guardrail and the upper edge of the bed frame.
ENTRAPMENT BETWEEN BED AND WALL: Because bunk beds usually lack a rail on the wall side, very young children can roll into the space between the bed and wall, their head or chest caught in the space. The Commission knows of ten deaths of children six to 15 months old trapped in this matter.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: Children under two should be placed in a crib rather than a bed.
To report any bunk bed accidents, call the CPSC toll-free Hotline on 800-638-CPSC. The Commission's teletypewriter number for the hearing-impaired is (800) 638-8270.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
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