The Best Kids' Bed Rails for Ultimate Safety

Is your little one ready to transition from a crib to a toddler bed but you’re worried about them rolling off the edge of the bed while sleeping? Bed rails can help with that problem, as long as you know how to pick them correctly. That’s why today, we’re going to talk about all things rails and help you choose the bed kids’ bed rail for your youngster. 

Best Kids Bed Rail Options

Always choose what’s best for you and your children. But these were selected based on price, quality, and range of uses.

When To Use a Kids Bed Rail

Your baby’s transition to a “big child” bed can be both joyous and heartbreaking. When your child is old enough to get out of his or her crib on his or her own, it’s hard to watch them grow up and keep them secure. 

A product that often comes to mind in such a situation is the bed rail. However, are bed railings safe to use? Yes, it is but only if parents follow a few simple guidelines.

In response to allegations that kid portable bed rails were causing injuries and deaths, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued new safety guidelines in 2012. 

There must be no gap between the mattress and the movable bed rails, and the hardware must be firmly fastened to the bed so that the rails cannot slide away. 

A bed rail isn’t recommended for children under the age of two because of an increased chance that they’ll become caught between it and their bed, according to the CPSC’s advice.

You might want to read this: Everything You Need to Know About Sleep in Kids

Pros and Cons of Kids Bed Rails

Kids’ bed rails come with advantages and drawbacks but, as you’re about to see, the pros outweigh the cons. 

• Prevents the Child from Falling

A baby bed rail guard will help keep your child from getting up and falling off of the bed when they are sleeping. Because of the surprising frequency with which this occurs, take precautions and ensure your child is protected while they are sleeping.

• Keep Bedding on the Bed

Bed rails will not only assist in keeping the bedsheets in place but will also prevent any loose bedding from falling over the side of the bed. Even we adults tend to lose our sheets or pillows on the floor as we move around in our sleep. 

• They Are Easy to Install

Most of the bed rails that you see in this article are designed to be installed within minutes. If you choose wooden bed rails, they might take longer to install, but you have other products that only take about 10 to 15 minutes to set up. 

• They Hinder Bed Access

Bed rails provide a lot of safety benefits, but they can be annoying when you want quick and easy access to the bed. For instance, they might get in the way when you want to change the sheets. Plus, you have to get them out of the way when the child wants to get in and out of bed. 

How To Use a Kids Bed Rail

The change from a baby’s crib to a kid’s bed necessitates careful planning. When they’re ready to graduate from a crib to a full-size bed, a properly fitted bed rail is an excellent option. It’s also preferable if you’re capable of using and installing toddler bed rails by yourself.

As with any purchase, the safety of your child must come first when deciding on the correct bed rails. A guideline for parents is that the smaller your child, the more careful you should be when selecting and installing a bed rail.

While installing a set of kids’ bed rails depends on the exact model in question, here is a short tutorial that should give you an idea of the installation process. Always install a bed rail according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Remove the Mattress

The first thing is to take the mattress off of the bed that the child sleeps on. When the kid’s mattress is removed, the slats of the bed are revealed. The mattress from a crib is typically used on a basic toddler bed, and the bed does not include a box spring.

You might be interested: Best Mattress for Kids

• Align the Rails

Obtain your rails and place them on the wooden bed slats in the appropriate positions. Check and recheck that the section of the rails that is on the outside sits against the part of the side rail that is on the inside. 

Keep a space of a few inches between the headboard and bed rails. This provides sufficient space for your children to get in and out of bed while also giving protection against the risk of falling out of bed.

Center the bed rails on top of the slats. Install the brackets as indicated by the manufacturer. If you have to drill holes for the screws, measure twice before drilling. 

• Drill the Holes

Get the bed rails and position them on a firm work surface. Before drilling, align the brackets carefully. Align the screw holes on the bed rails with the markings you made. Utilize a wireless screwdriver fitted with a Philipps bit to affix the brackets to the legs of the bed rails using the wood screw holes provided.

• Fix the Rails

Adjust the location of the bed rails on the slats. Make sure that the marks in the slats match the bracket holes. Connect the bed rails to the slats using whatever bracket screws you have left. If necessary, repeat the process on the other side of the bed. 

Bed Rail Safety Tips

Bed rails are useful in a variety of different situations, they’re not just for toddler beds. Hospital patients, elderly citizens, or people that are bedbound because of injuries can all benefit from bed rails. 

Regardless of the situation that calls for the use of bed rails, consider the following tips:

• Place mats next to the bed if the person using it is at risk of falling out of bed, as long as doing so does not generate an increased risk of an accident.
• Consider bed rails that are raised and lowered close to the floor. This provides easier access to the bed when needed. 
• Make sure there is no significant gap between the mattress and the rails.
• Use the right mattress. Beds made from foam with raised edges are great for preventing kids from getting trapped between the rails and the mattress.

Bottom Line

As you can see, bed rails can be useful in several situations, and they’re especially useful when you have children who transition from a crib to a toddler bed. Make sure to look for rails that prioritize safety above all other aspects. Other things you might want to look into are the use of child-friendly materials, ease of cleaning, and foldability.

Frequently Asked Questions