If you are looking to buy a bunk bed, the chances are that it is not for you to sleep on unless you are a college student, for instance. It will probably be for your child. It is therefore important to weigh up the cost against the safety issue.
Bunk beds are frequently used as a child's first regular bed after he/she outgrows a crib, either at about age 2 or 35 inches in height. Some bunk beds also are used separately as twin beds for older children and even adults. It is unlikely that you will be able to find a strong bunk bed for less than $150, and it can often be worth spending another $200.
Top bunks must have at least two guardrails, one for each side. Lower bunks need no guardrails if the mattress foundation is less the 30 inches from the floor. On the wall side, or the side without the ladder must be one continuous piece.
Each year, thousands of children under age 15 receive hospital emergency room treatment for injuries associated with bunk beds. Most of these injuries are fairly minor and occur when children fall from the beds. Horseplay frequently contributes to these accidents.
Perhaps one good tip would be to buy a good quality bunk bed, which can be separated into two twin beds. This means that if you have two children who are sharing a room, they can easily move into their own rooms when the time comes.
