Hazard Warning

The Fantasy Bus Bunk Bed (see picture below) has caused a fatality in the United Kingdom when a 3yr old child became entrapped in an opening (window) of the bunk bed. If you have purchased this bed, please contact your supplier or this department. The bunk bed which caused the fatality was purchased via ebay, this department urge you to consider product safety at all times prior to purchase especially when making internet purchases.

Bunk beds must be compliant with The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations 1987. These regulations demand that a bunk bed shall prevent the reasonable possibility of any part of the body of a child under six years becoming wedged or trapped at or above the height of any part of the bed’s sleeping surface which may give rise to any risk of death or personal injury. 

The permitted gaps between rails and other components are stated very clearly in these Regulations.

Permissible gaps allowed are:

(a)   in relation to a gap in the sleeping surface ( means the surface excluding any mattress or upholstery,intended to support a sleeping person) of a bunk bed, a gap of not more than 75mm

(b)   in relation to any other gap in the structure of a bunk bed, a gap of not less than 60mm or more than 75mm

These regulations prohibit any person from supplying, offering to supply, agreeing to supply, ‘expose for supply’ or ‘possess for supply’ in the UK a bunk bed which does not meet its safety criteria. When sourcing bunk beds, you must ensure they are compliant with the above Regulations.

For further guidance contact the Environmental Health Department, Lisnamallard House, Old Mountfield Rd, Omagh, BT79 7EG. Telephone (028) 82256202. E-mail address eh@omagh.gov.uk