In the News: Bunk beds cause boo-boos — and serious injury

I'm sure everyone saw the news last night with the story:
Bunk beds cause boo-boos — and serious injury. If not, now's your chance to read about it!!

According to the article: "A comprehensive new study found that nearly 36,000 children and adolescents are treated for bunk bed-related injuries in the nation’s emergency rooms each year.

Almost 573,000 kids from infants to age 21 suffered injuries significant enough to warrant a visit to the ER between 1990 and 2005, according to an investigation by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. (that's 38,200 injuries a year)

Nearly half of the injuries occurred in children under 6, but there also was a surprising jump in accidents among 18- to 21-year-olds, who were more than twice as likely to be hurt as kids ages 14 to 17."

Not shockingly, most of the injuries were caused by falls. That explains the jump in 18-21 year olds who often live in college dorms where bunk beds are the norm. And, luckily, fatalities are rare. "The study should serve as a warning, especially to parents of kids younger than 6, who shouldn’t sleep on the upper bunk, McKenzie said. Although it wasn't clear exactly why more injuries occurred among those 18 to 21, college-age kids and their parents should double-check the sturdiness of beds in dorms and other settings. Young people of all ages should be reminded not to horse around on the beds, she added."

Yeah right. Tell a 5-7 year old, who thinks it's the coolest thing ever to sleep on the top bunk NOT to be rowdy. I suppose you can try...