First off, guard rails are required for children. Children don't always know what will hurt them or they think that they are invincible and so you have to protect them. Just like you baby proof your house when you have a baby, you have to "child proof" a bunk bed by putting guard rails up.

Tell your child that the safety rails aren't a punishment but a safety measure. Tell them that sometimes people roll off their beds in the middle of the night and that the guard rails are there to protect them. Explain that sometimes Moms and Dads roll off their beds too, and that it really will hurt them if they fall.

Guard rails by law have to be less than 3.5 inches from the bed frame. The space in between can't be more than that or you have a high risk of a child getting caught in between the bunk bed and the guard rail. You don't have to worry about the space if your child is more than 6 years old, federal regulators suggest not allowing a less than 6 year old child on the top bunk. Older children are larger and won't be able to fit in between the rails.

The spaces in between the actual rails, on the guard rail, should also not be more than 3.5 inches. If they are, just don't buy the bunk bed. Sometimes retailers will try to sell products that are outdated. You need to be aware as the parent and consumer of what you are buying, so print off the exact specifications for everything before you go looking for bunk beds.

Guard rails also by law must be placed on both sides of the top bunk. If the bunk bed is against the wall and attached to the actual wall, then it is ok to only put on guard rail on the top bunk. You can also put bunk bed guard rails on the bottom bunk if your children aren't very calm sleepers or are smaller. Manufacturers will sell the extra guard rails and so when you go to buy one, just ask about how you can contact them to get more guard rails for the bunk bed.

A nightlight is always a great idea for bunk beds. Everyone has a hard time seeing in the dark and so a nightlight will help a child see to get around the guard rail when they are climbing down.

Guard rails are so important to use. They can help prevent a really serious injury. Use them on all your bunk beds . Don't allow playing around the bunk bed either. As a precaution, check the guard rails every night. Just give a little tug to make sure that they are snug and aren't coming off.