Bedroom walls as barriers and the safe age to use bunk beds

Myth: A bedroom wall will act as an effective safety barrier if the bunk bed is pushed up against it. 

Fact: Guardrails are required and should be provided on all four sides of the raised/upper bed. Children can become trapped between the mattress and the wall of an unguarded raised bed.

Myth: After a certain age children will be safe using a raised/upper bed. 

Fact: Given the height of bunk beds, any fall by either a child or adult from a raised/upper bed could cause serious injury. It is not recommended that children under nine years old sleep on the top bunk, as young children can easily fall and trap their small heads and limbs in the guard rails, causing serious and even fatal injuries.