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Toddler Beds - Safety Rails

Toddler Bed Rail Safety
A toddler bed rail is a simple device. It is a rail that is attached to the sides of a toddler bed, to prevent children from falling off the toddler bed and getting injured.  Many parents understand how important a toddler bed rail is, and unfortunately, many do not have toddler bed rails on their kids bed.  Unaware parents either do not use toddler bed rails, or just let their baby's sleep in their bed instead.  This usually results in infant deaths.  Any toddler bed rail would be better than having a baby sleep in your bed, or leaving them in a bed without toddler bed rails.
When purchasing a toddler bed rail, here are a few things to be looking for:

• Sturdy build of metal, wood, or plastic.
• A soft, comfortable, yet sturdy way of holding the child (such as mesh)
• An easily visible locking mechanism on the outside of the toddler bed rail, so you can ensure your toddler is safe.

The benefits of a toddler bed rail vastly outweighs the cost.  By not buying a toddler bed rail, you are allowing your child to fall off of their bed.

Toddler Bed Safety

Toddler Bed Safety
A toddler bed is necessary when your baby has grown too big for a crib.  The purpose a toddler bed is for when they are too big for a crib yet too small for a regular kids bed. Some cribs are designed to convert  into a toddler bed.  The ideal time to move your baby out of their crib and into a toddler bed is as soon as the distance measured from the top of the crib mattress in its lowest position, to the top of the side rails in their highest position is less than 75% of your baby's height.  Typically this is when toddlers are between 18 and 40 months old.  With your toddler typically spending between 10 and 13 hours per day sleeping, it's essential to ensure that their toddler bed is safe. Follow the toddler bed tips below to ensure maximum safety:

• Choose a toddler bed that is low to the ground in order to minimize the risk of injury if your toddler falls.  Make sure to use toddler bed rails.
• Choose your toddler bed location with care. Keep your toddler bed away from windows, doors, radiators and strangling hazards such as blind cords. Make sure that your toddler cannot become trapped between the side of the toddler bed and the wall.
• Make sure the toddler bed is sturdy, with all screws and joints secure.
• If you've chosen to use a family heirloom, rather than a modern toddler bed, be sure that the old toddler bed was not painted with lead based paint. Many toddlers still chew surfaces and lead is poisonous.
• Place something soft around the toddler bed such as a  soft rug to help prevent injury should your toddler fall out of his or her toddler bed.
• Modern mattresses should all be fire retardant but always check. In addition, choose natural fibers such as cotton and wool for bedding as this dissipates heat and perspiration better.
• If you are using bedding or pillows filled with feathers, check them frequently to ensure that the feathers cannot escape as they can pose a choking hazard.
• If your toddler's bedding has been washed in strongly scented washing powder or fabric conditioner, make sure it's been well-aired. Chemical residues and strong perfumes can produce allergic reactions in some children.
• If you are using a video or voice alarm, ensure that it is placed well out of reach of your toddler and that all electrical wires are secured or hidden.

Kids Beds: Bunk Bed Safety

Bunk Bed Safety
Every year, thousands of children visit the hospital emergency room for treatment for injuries associated with bunk beds. Below are potentially very serious hazards associated with bunk beds that have entrapped children, and resulted in suffocation or strangulation deaths.

To keep your kids safe when sleeping in a bunk kids bed, parents should:

• always use two side guardrails on the upper bunk. Keep guardrails securely in place at all times no matter what the age of the child.
• not permit children under 6 years of age to sleep in the upper kids bed bunk.
• be sure crossties are under the mattress foundation of each kids bed, and that they are secured in place even if bunks are used as twin kid beds.
• emphasize to children to use the ladder and not chairs or other pieces of furniture to climb into or out of the top kids bed bunk.
• teach children that rough play is unsafe around and on kids beds and other children's furniture.
• consider using a night light so that children will be able to see the ladder if they get out of their kids bed during the night.