Bunk Bed Safety - San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle posted an excellent article about bunk bed safety on their sfgate.com site. Here are some highlights:

Children younger than 6 should not sleep on a top bunk or play unattended in a room with bunk beds.
The top bunk's guardrails should have no more than a 15-inch opening for entering. Rails should be sturdy and securely attached to the bed and should extend at least 5 inches above the mattress.
Use the right size mattress for the platform of the bed.
Use a sturdy ladder and keep it free of obstructions such as toys or clothes.
Never hang items, such as belts, jump ropes or hooks, from any part of the bed, as these could become a strangulation hazard.
Don't put the bunk bed near a ceiling fan or light fixture.
Don't let more than one child be on the top bunk at a time and prohibit horseplay on the beds.
Tell the kids the rules and repeat them often, especially when they are having an overnight guest.

You can find the full article here: sfgate.com