Queensland faces new bunk bed laws
08/09/2011
Bunk beds in Queensland will now have to be fitted with new safety equipment in order to make them safer for youngsters.
The laws apply to holiday resorts throughout the region, which will now be required to have guardrails on the children's beds.
Deputy premier of Australia Paul Lucas explained that the legislation had proved necessary for short-term accommodation providers.
"While the battle to sleep in the top bunk can be the source of many a conflict for young siblings, the reality is that bunk beds can pose potential risks to the safety of children," he told parliament.
This follows research from the Sleep Council and the Better Sleep Council, which recently showed that many parents in the UK are not aware of how important a good mattress is for children.
In the US, 90 per cent of parents consider their child's mattress as an essential part of helping them sleep soundly, compared to only 60 per cent in the UK.
Posted by Michael Ewing
