Bunk Bed Injuries Send Thousands Of Children To The Hospital

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - I remember when I was a child that it was always fun to go away on a trip and sleep in a bunk bed. Today the vacation industry knows this is something that kids love and colleges and universities take advantage of bunk beds as a space saver. But you might be surprised to learn that injuries from bunk beds send an estimated 36,000 Americans aged 21 and under to the emergency room each year.

Most of the injuries were in young children under the age of six. Studies show that falls are the most common problem and cause more than 70% of injuries including those alcohol-related.

Males were more likely than females to be injured and nearly 94% of bunk bed injuries occurred at home. Cuts are the most common injuries.

Bunk beds can be fun but you still need to be careful.