When it comes to decorating your son or daughter’s bedroom, you have an unlimited amount of possibilities with regard to colors, designs, themes, etc. Whether you’re a first-time parent planning for a new bundle of joy, or looking to re-theme your son’s room from bears to baseball now that he’s older, there are lots of considerations when purchasing kid’s furniture – and the most important factor should be safety.

Here are some things to consider before you take a trip to your local furniture store:

Cribs:  Your newborn baby will spend a lot of time in his or her crib, and you want peace of mind knowing that you can leave him/her in it. Unfortunately, unsafe cribs cause many injuries each day, including falls and stuck body parts. Before purchasing a crib, make sure it meets the following requirements:

  • Sturdiness: A wobbly crib is an unsafe crib. Look at the sample in the store and shake it. Make sure it doesn’t move, and once purchased and assembled at home, do the same test.
  • Spacing: All spindles and posts must be less than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent arms and legs from getting stuck in between them once your baby is able to sit up and move around.
  • Supports: Purchase a crib with metal mattress supports. They are stronger than wood supports, which is extremely important once your baby is a toddler and can stand and jump around.

Bunk Beds: Bunk beds are a great option for children who share a room, or if your son or daughter often has a friend or cousin sleep over. They save space, and something about having your bed elevated is exciting to any kid.

That said, your kids have to be responsible, since jumping off the top bunk or hanging from the ladder will no doubt result in bruises, broken bones, or worse. Make sure that you look for the following features before purchasing:

  • Adequate Spacing: Know the height of your ceilings before you purchase a bunk bed, as there must be adequate space between the top bunk and the ceiling so your son or daughter doesn’t slam their head when sitting up.
  • Attached Guardrails: Make sure the guardrails are bolted or screwed so they stay firmly attached. They should extend at least five inches above the mattress to prevent roll-offs. Be sure there are guardrails on both sides of the bed, even if one side is against the wall, since the bed can shift slightly away from the wall over time, causing a dangerous gap to appear between the bed and the wall.
  • Appropriate Mattress Size: Bunk bed mattresses come in two lengths depending on the size of the structure: regular and extra long. If you purchase a regular mattress for an extra long frame, there will be a gap of about five inches between the mattress and headboard or footboard, which can cause injuries if a child falls through.

If you carefully evaluate all of these features before purchasing new furniture for your child’s newly decorated room, your investment will pay off and you’ll sleep well knowing that your son or daughter is comfortable and safe in their crib or bed.

Jaron’s Furniture Outlet is an independently owned and operated discount furniture store.