| Children's furniture is rapidly becoming one | | | | beds have a sturdy ladder that prohibits |
| of the most sought after types of furnishings | | | | falling accidents. As an additional safety |
| being bought today. With two parent incomes, | | | | precaution on children's bedroom furniture in |
| and lowering number of per family children; | | | | the form of a bunk bed is to never allow more |
| there is extra money left in the budget for | | | | than one child at a time onto the top bunk. |
| this expenditure. In the past, kids usually | | | | Kids like to horseplay, it would not be |
| grew out of children's bedroom furniture too | | | | uncommon to have one child accidentally fall |
| quickly to warrant spending money on it | | | | off of the top bunk. In addition to the |
| throughout each stage of life. When babies' | | | | dangers a bunk bed holds, parents should |
| grew out of cribs, they were given single | | | | never place a child's bed near windows where |
| beds which they kept until they became | | | | they can climb onto and fall out. Children's |
| adults, but the future of furniture has | | | | bedroom furniture should certainly be |
| changed. There are 3-in-1 bedroom sets, | | | | inspected carefully by the parent before a |
| whereby a crib, once no longer needed, can | | | | purchase is made. |
| convert to a toddler bed, which can then | | | | |
| convert to a single, full or queen-size bed. | | | | Chests and dressers are also an ideal |
| These types of ingenious styles allow a | | | | purchase for younger ones with smaller |
| parent to purchase one item that can be used | | | | clothing. Also, the children's bedroom |
| throughout a child's life. These unique | | | | furniture is smaller in height making it |
| purchases, however, come with a hefty price | | | | easier for the child to put away or remove |
| tag, so the investment in 3-in-1 set should | | | | their clothing or other items independently. |
| be thoroughly researched before a purchase is | | | | As a precautionary suggestion, parents should |
| made. | | | | also inspect children's furniture in the form |
| | | | of chests and dressers. The drawers should |
| In addition to the practicality of purchasing | | | | open and shut smoothly and with ease. The |
| these pieces, there are also the benefits of | | | | drawers should also have an automatic stop |
| safety to consider. Children's furniture | | | | that prevents them from being pulled out all |
| tends to have smoother surfaces that are free | | | | the way and surprisingly falling on a child. |
| from splinters and rough edges. Bolts, screws | | | | Teach the child to only open one drawer at a |
| and joints are hidden and meant to be secured | | | | time and never allow children to stand in |
| tightly. The JPMA or Juvenile Products | | | | open drawers. Their weight placed on one side |
| Manufacturers Association Certification Seal | | | | of the dresser may cause the entire dresser |
| assures parents that products are built to | | | | to fall over on top of them. Care in the |
| the very highest safety standards. This is | | | | selection of appropriate pieces should be |
| especially important in cribs. Crib slats or | | | | made, especially when siblings of different |
| spindles must be spaced no more than 2 3/8 | | | | sizes and ages are sharing a room. |
| inches apart. This protects a child's head | | | | |
| from being caught in between the spindles. | | | | Bookcases and entertainment centers are also |
| When buying children's bedroom furniture | | | | continuing to grow in popularity. Bookcases |
| used, or from antique stores, parents should | | | | should always be secured to a wall to prevent |
| make sure that if the pieces are not up to | | | | them from tipping over. Many young children |
| date with current safety guidelines, | | | | like to climb on top of bookshelves. Securing |
| adjustments are made. The mattresses should | | | | furniture to a wall will prevent injury |
| also fit snugly leaving no room for tiny | | | | should a child climb onto the piece. In |
| fingers to get caught in between. Parents | | | | addition to climbing on children's furniture, |
| should be very concerned with providing | | | | overloading a top shelf of a bookshelf can |
| safety and protection for their children. And | | | | also cause instability in the piece, either |
| all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; | | | | by a collapsing shelf or by allowing the |
| and great shall be the peace of thy children. | | | | uneven distribution of the weight to tip the |
| | | | shelf over. Some bookshelves can be attached |
| Experts recommend against the purchase of | | | | to a desk or chest. Caution and accuracy |
| bunk beds for children under 6 years of age. | | | | should be taken during the assembly process. |
| Top bunks should have guardrails to keep a | | | | Entertainment centers carry the same risk as |
| child from rolling off the bed while they | | | | bookshelves. Proper assembly and weight |
| sleep. The guardrails should extend at least | | | | distribution is absolutely necessary for the |
| 5 inches above the mattress. The mattress | | | | protection of young children, especially when |
| should fit snug on the board or springs. In | | | | loading the entertainment center with |
| addition to all these standards for bunk | | | | something as heavy as a television set or |
| beds, the ladder could be the most important | | | | stereo. |
| of all. Parents should be certain that bunk | | | | |