Ladders for kids' beds are readily available for home delivery from Internet retail stores, so there is no reason to keep that old rickety or unstable bunkbed ladder that may be putting your child's safety at risk. You can purchase kids' bed ladders independently of the bunk bed, and they are affordably priced.
Kids love bunk beds and loft beds because they are an adventure in disguise. Parents love them because they save a lot of space in kids' small rooms and accommodate siblings and visiting relatives and overnight guests.
Safety Rails For Beds
But kids' safety is the primary concern. Here are some tips to keep in mind when buying or evaluating a kids' bed ladder.
When the bunk ladder first arrives, check for damage to the box or bunk bed ladder inside. Please advise the shipper immediately if you notice any damage to the box or bunk ladder. Test the ladder carefully yourself before allowing your child to climb it. The ladder should sit firmly on the floor and hook over the front lower rail of the top bunk. The upper guard rails are not as firmly affixed to the bed frame, so use the front rail of the top bunk bed to attach the ladder. The ladder should be sturdy. It should not wobble or bend in any direction. The rungs should not be loose or turn in place when a foot steps on them. The bunk ladder should have flat-surfaced rungs for comfort and safety. Round rungs are more prone to slipping and are less comfortable to use. Teach children always to use the bunkbed ladder for getting up and down from the top bunk. Climbing the sides may seem faster, but the spacing of foot holds is not as consistent and children may not anticipate a wider step. Teach children always to face the ladder when climbing up or down the bunk bed ladder. Regularly check that the ladder (and the guardrails and other bunk bed parts, for that matter) are tightly screwed down and properly in place. Respect the manufacturer weight restrictions! Do not allow a person heavier than the weight restrictions to use the bunk bed ladder or the top bunk. Sturdy bunk beds and loft beds can typically accommodate up to 400-500 lbs. on the top bunk, but not all bunk beds are up to this standard. Never allow a child under 5 years old on the top bunk of the bunk bed. This is a difficult rule to enforce. They may get up there with apparent ease, but most parents know that, at that age, they may not understand the safety issues on the top bunk, or know the safest way to use the ladder coming down. The return trip may not go so well.
Sturdy bunk bed ladders will help your child stay safe. If you've had enough trips to the emergency room, or just don't want to envision that circumstance, make sure that the bunk ladder for your child's bed is easy to use and meets the safety criteria above.