Bunk bed safety priority for Kidsafe Day

The Qld Office of Fair Trading is using Kidsafe Day (Tues 25 Oct) to remind Queenslanders of the potential dangers of unsafe bunk beds.

Qld Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said while there were current safety standards in place for bunk beds, old bunk beds that were still in use could put children at risk.

“According to Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit figures, approximately 450 people visit Queensland hospital emergency departments each year due to bunk bed injuries,” Mr Bauer said

“Eighty-five per cent of these injuries were the result of a fall from a bunk bed, with most injuries suffered by children aged five to nine years old.”

Mr Bauer said there were a number of steps parents could take to help prevent bunk bed related injuries to their children.

“Whether your children use bunk beds everyday or just on holidays, there are some simple rules you can follow to help protect them,” he said.

The Qld Office of Fair Trading’s “7 easy steps” to bunk bed safety are:

1. Only children over nine years of age should use bunk beds (but preferably older than 12).
2. Consider using single beds as a safer alternative to bunk beds.
3. Don't allow children to play on bunk beds.
4. Allow at least two metres of clearance between ceiling fans and bunk beds.
5. Ensure the ladder is firmly fixed to the bunk bed.
6. Ensure there are no gaps of between 95mm and 230mm that could trap your child's head.
7. On the top bunk, make sure that the top of the guardrail is at least 160mm above the top of the mattress to prevent children rolling out.

Mr Bauer said while parents could control the quality of bunk beds in their homes they had less influence over beds used in holiday accommodation.

“In conjunction with Standards Australia and other stakeholders the Qld Office of Fair Trading has produced an industry handbook for the accommodation providers to help bring them into line with Australian Standards,” he said.

“However, parents have a big role to play when it comes to protecting their children.

“In the lead up to the busy summer holiday period parents should check with accommodation providers before making a booking if the room they are renting has bunk beds and if they meet safety standards.

“If not, they should consider a room without bunk beds or moving bedding to the floor.”

“Let’s take this opportunity to raise awareness about Kidsafe Day and remember that we all have a role to play in the safety of our children.”

The Queensland Government has drafted a regulation to make it mandatory for short-term accommodation providers to comply with a safety standard for bunk beds and has been consulting with industry.

Contact details