Bed safety guide

How to choose, build and use a raised bed safely

Raised beds are the thing we're asked about most, and it's a fair question. This guide explains how bunk beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers are designed to be safe, how to assemble and use yours properly, and what to look out for as your child grows. If anything isn't clear, or you'd like advice about a specific bed, we're always happy to help.

Are raised beds safe?

Yes, when the bed is well made, assembled correctly and used as intended. Bunk beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers have been designed around child safety for decades, and the rules that keep them safe are straightforward. The four that matter most:

1

Only children aged 6 and over sleep on a raised platform or top bunk.

2

The mattress is the right size, and no deeper than the limit for that bed.

3

Nothing is ever hung from the frame.

4

The bed is built to the instructions, every fixing tight, and checked regularly.

Many accidents involving raised beds happen during play on or around the bed, or when a bed hasn't been assembled correctly, rather than because of the design itself.

The standard that applies

Bunk beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers sold in the UK are expected to meet BS EN 747, the British and European safety standard for bunk beds and high beds. It sets requirements for structural strength, guard rail height, ladder design and the gap sizes that could trap a child.

We ask every supplier to confirm in writing that the products they supply us meet the standards that apply, and we review that documentation each year. We only state that a bed meets BS EN 747 where we hold that confirmation. If you'd like to know what we hold for a particular bed, ask us and we'll tell you.

Mattresses sold in the UK must meet the ignition requirements of BS 7177 under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. The mattresses we sell are made to meet it. Please leave the fire label attached.

What age is right for a raised bed?

The age guidance comes from the safety standard, not from us. It exists because younger children don't yet have the coordination to climb a ladder confidently at height, particularly at night.

Where your child sleeps Age
Top bunk, mid sleeper or high sleeper platform 6 and over
Bottom bunk No age restriction. A younger sibling can use the bottom bunk of a bunk bed safely.
Toddler beds, low beds and single beds Suitable for younger children

Age is a minimum, not a target. You know your child, and confidence on a ladder in the dark matters as much as birthdays. The guidance for each bed is on its product page, and if you're buying for a child under 6 we have a good range of toddler beds and low cabin beds.

Choosing the mattress

This is the most important decision after the bed itself, and the one people get wrong most often. Guard rails on a raised bed are designed to stand a set height above the top of the mattress. A mattress that's too deep lowers the rail's effective height, which is exactly what it's there to prevent. That's why every raised bed has a maximum mattress depth, and why the figure varies from bed to bed.

  • Use only the mattress size stated for the bed. Too small leaves gaps at the edges; too large won't sit flat.
  • Never exceed the maximum depth given on the product page.
  • Don't assume it's the same as a bed you've owned before. Many raised beds specify 15cm, but some allow a little more.

Every mattress we recommend alongside a bed is the correct size and depth for it. If you're buying elsewhere, check the limit on the product page first, or ask us. Our bunk bed mattress guide explains more.

Weight and load

Beds are designed and tested to carry the person they're intended for, with a mattress and bedding. Within the age guidance for the bed, in normal use, this isn't something you need to think about. Limits vary considerably between beds: a children's high sleeper and a solid pine frame built for adult use are designed to very different specifications, and no single figure applies across a range.

Where a manufacturer specifies a maximum user weight, we state it on the product page. If you're buying for an older teenager or an adult, or you'd like the figure for a particular bed before you order, contact us and we'll confirm what the manufacturer has told us.

Assembly

Before you start

  • Unpack and check every component against the parts list. If anything is missing or damaged, contact us before assembling, not after.
  • Assemble the bed in the room it will stay in; raised beds are heavy and awkward to move once built.
  • Keep children away from the assembly area, and keep small parts and packaging out of reach, as they can be a choking hazard.
  • Lay a sheet or blanket down to protect your floor and the bed.
  • Allow two adults and a couple of hours for most raised beds.

Building it properly

  • Use only the fixings and tools specified. Never substitute a fixing or improvise a replacement.
  • Build the main frame first, then fit the guard rails and ladder.
  • Have one person steady the frame while the other tightens.
  • Fit every guard rail as shown, including any on the wall side. A child can slip between a mattress and a wall.
  • Check every fixing is fully tight and the frame is level and stable before anyone sleeps in it. Push it firmly from each side and check for movement.
  • You should have no parts left over. If you do, check the instructions again before use.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions supplied with your bed. If you'd rather not build it yourself, room-of-choice assembly is available on selected beds.

Ongoing checks

Wooden and metal frames both settle with use, and fixings work loose over time. Every three to six months, and more often with an active child:

  • Re-tighten all bolts and fixings.
  • Check the guard rails are firm and correctly positioned.
  • Check the ladder or staircase is secure and clear.
  • Check every slat is present, correctly seated and undamaged.
  • Check again after moving the bed, or after any heavy or rough use.

Everyday use

  • One person on a raised sleeping surface at a time. Where a bed has a wider lower bunk designed for two, the product page says so, and it's fine to use it as intended.
  • Raised beds are for sleeping. No climbing on the outside of the frame, no jumping, no rough play.
  • Always use the ladder or staircase provided. Never climb up from the side or from other furniture.
  • Keep the steps clear of clothes, toys and bedding.
  • Teach children to climb calmly, facing the ladder, using both hands.
  • A night light near the ladder helps considerably, as getting down in the dark is when most falls happen.
  • A rug or carpet beside the bed is worth having.

The most important warning on this page

Never hang anything from the frame

Raised beds can present a strangulation risk if items are hung from them. Never attach or hang anything on any part of the bed that isn't designed for it. That includes ropes, cords, skipping ropes, belts, bags, hooks, fairy lights, canopies and fabric decorations.

Position the bed away from window blind cords, curtain cords, and anything else a child could reach from the sleeping platform.

Where to put the bed

  • Place the bed on a flat, level surface.
  • Allow enough headroom for your child to sit up comfortably in bed: roughly 70cm above the mattress for a younger child, and 80 to 90cm for a teenager. Check carefully if your room has low or sloping ceilings.
  • Keep the sleeping platform clear of ceiling lights and fans.
  • Position it away from windows and radiators.
  • Leave clear floor space in front of the ladder, and check doors and drawers still open freely.
  • A corner position, with walls on two sides, adds stability and reduces the number of open edges.

Guard rails and gaps. Raised beds are designed so that every gap falls within safe limits, and the guard rails are sized to work with the recommended mattress depth. Don't modify the bed, add items, or push it against furniture in a way that creates a new gap between a rail and a surrounding surface. Preventing exactly that is what the standard is for.

Trundles, sofa beds, toddler beds and metal beds

Trundles and day beds

  • Pull the trundle fully out before anyone sleeps on it.
  • Use a mattress that fits the trundle frame and doesn't obstruct the mechanism. The depth limit for a trundle is often different from the main bed.
  • Keep hands and fingers clear when moving it, and supervise children while it's being moved.
  • Push it fully back under the bed when not in use, so it isn't a trip hazard.

Sofa beds and futons

  • Extend it fully and check it's locked in position before use.
  • Keep fingers clear of the folding mechanism, and supervise children while it's being opened or closed.
  • Don't let children sit or stand on it while it's part-extended.
  • Where there's a lift-up storage compartment, lower the lid gently and keep hands clear of the hinge.

Toddler beds and low beds

  • These sit close to the floor and are designed for younger children.
  • Use the mattress size specified. A mattress that's too small can leave a gap a child could become trapped in.
  • Keep the surrounding floor clear of hard or sharp furniture edges.
  • Pillows and soft bedding aren't suitable for infants under 12 months, in line with safer-sleep guidance.

Metal beds

  • Metal frames rely on their fixings for rigidity, so check and re-tighten bolts more often than on a wooden frame.
  • Make sure the mesh or slatted base is correctly seated and fully secured.
  • Check for sharp edges or protruding fixings after assembly, particularly at joints.
  • Don't use a metal bed if any weld or joint appears cracked or deformed.

Other products

Mattress care

  • Air the mattress regularly and keep the room ventilated to limit moisture.
  • Rotate or turn it as the manufacturer recommends.
  • Replace a mattress showing significant wear, sagging or damage.
  • Leave the fire label attached.

Lighting, cables and gaming set-ups

  • Use only lighting and electrical items intended for the purpose, and follow their instructions.
  • Route cables so they can't be reached from the sleeping platform and aren't a trip hazard below.
  • Never run a cable over or through a guard rail.
  • Don't overload sockets or extension leads beneath a raised bed, and keep lamps and heat-producing equipment clear of bedding and fabric.

Bean bags and floor cushions

  • Keep bean bags away from infants and very young children, who can be at risk if they roll face-down into them.
  • Check the closure regularly. Filling beads are a choking and inhalation risk if a cover is damaged or opened.
  • Don't let children jump onto a bean bag from a bed or other furniture.

Outdoor play equipment

  • The manufacturer's instructions take precedence over anything here.
  • Install on a level surface with impact-absorbing ground cover, and keep the clear space the instructions specify.
  • Anchor as directed, and check the anchoring at the start of each season.
  • Inspect timber, fixings and moving parts regularly, supervise young children, and observe the age and user limits.

Buying second hand

We'd advise against a second-hand raised bed. You won't know its age, whether it meets current requirements, how it has been used, or whether it has been dismantled and rebuilt. Fixings weaken with repeated assembly, and instructions and parts are rarely complete.

If something is damaged, missing or doesn't look right

Stop, keep children away, and tell us

If you notice cracks, splits, excessive movement, fixings that won't tighten, or a damaged or missing part, stop using the bed and keep children away from it. Send us photographs and we'll advise on the safest next step, including replacement parts where available. Please don't use the bed again until we've confirmed it's safe.

Please don't attempt a temporary repair, substitute a fixing, or carry on using a bed with a damaged structural part.

Reporting a safety concern. If you have a concern about the safety of anything you've bought from us, contact us straight away at support@millieandjones.co.uk or on 020 8264 0042. We take every report seriously, raise it with the manufacturer, and will tell you what we find. We can also confirm the manufacturer of any product we supply on request.

Your rights

This guide is here to help you assemble and use your bed safely. It does not affect your statutory rights, and nothing on this page limits our obligations in respect of products that are not as described, not of satisfactory quality, or not fit for purpose.

Where damage or injury results from assembly that doesn't follow the instructions, from modification of the product, or from use outside the guidance given here and by the manufacturer, we may not be able to help in the same way. That's why we set it all out clearly.

Need a hand?

Questions about assembly, use, care, or which bed suits your child's age and your room are the sort we answer every day.

Last updated: September 2026 · Millie & Jones (HCH Commerce Limited)