We don't  fit side rails to ordinary  beds for disabled children or adults, only to the units we build where a headboard and footboard can give secure fixing points.

A bed rail intended for use on a divan bed (i.e. having a flat base, the common domestic type of bed) was used on a hospital type bed. A disabled child slipped feet first between the bed rail and the bed. The child was trapped at chest level and died from postural asphyxiation.

A bed rail was provided to the parents of a disabled child being cared for in the community. No assessment of the child's physical size was carried out to determine if an entrapment hazard existed. The child asphyxiated as a result of head entrapment between the bed rail bars.

You need constantly to reappraise a clients situation when using bed guards For their night time activity, also their determination to remove the guard, if a person finds the side moves, they will constantly play with it, shake it and eventually weaken it.

Cotswold Cots.
Tel 01993 842885
Fax 01993 842885

Safety should never be compromised for any reason.

I  have recently delivered a special bed to a lady who had just spent over £500 elsewhere, to have a bed made with easily removable guard rails.  The occupant, a sixteen stone girl, tried to get out in the middle of the night, fell and became trapped. The carer was unable to release her and had to fetch a neighbor to help. She then slept on the floor next to the bed, until
we delivered and assembled the new bed we had made her.

I viewed a cot with only 20" high sides, the front side had 4 doors that folded back  to make the access to the cot very easy. Apparently, when first delivered it was fine, but with some months use I would now condemn it. Just shaking the unit unlatched the doors leaving a long drop to the floor for the occupant, even if the doors locked properly  they could still pose a hazard because the flexing movement of the doors  may attract unwanted attention from the occupant, especially if  they are bored, encouraging them to shake it. Without adequate support to the top of the doors this could eventually weaken it.

We at Cotswold Cots build cots to suit the need of the occupant and carer alike.
The cot may be for an inactive person that cannot even sit up and only needs the sides to prevent them rolling out,  but rest assured that should that occupant suddenly suffer a violent fit or involuntary movement, the sides will still keep them safe in bed.

It may be for a very active occupant, hyper active, or having behavior problems who needs  to be securely kept in bed all night.  Some children are quite destructive pulling curtains down, or roaming the house given the chance, in such cases a very high sided, extra strong cot, allows parents to get some sleep themselves, safe in the knowledge that their child is safe and secure for the night.

Bi folding doors (four doors that fold away) or double doors, very easy for the carer to use, need particular attention paid to the security problem, as one of those doors becoming undone, or any of the hinges being wrenched off or broken,  could cause a V shaped opening between the doors. The top of the doors is causing me most concern,  because the bottom of the doors can be made secure enough that no leverage from the inside of the unit should strain the bottom hinges, or catches, but without that same security being in place at the top, and with a child or adult in the standing position, who may be frustrated, agitated, excited, or just  trying to force the door open, the leverage that can be exerted is the problem.

A unit  bought for a 3 year old  will  need to be used as they grow. Let's say they are now 7, increased strength, weight, awareness and frustration, etc, and are trying to force the door open, (after all they know that's were mum gets them out, and the doors flex which is an attraction,)  forces the top of the doors open, or the hinge breaks, they will almost certainly fall into  the V opening and that could well be fatal.

Here at Cotswold Cots we recognized this problem some years ago, and have a practical solution. Extra strength built into the opening side of the unit means safety and for just a few more seconds work to have that extra security (after all the occupant must come first) will help to prevent a future accident,
Why did I write this page.
As the proprietor of Cotswold Cots I have been involved now for over 15 years
with handicapped children and adults, I meet wonderful parents, carers and O/Ts,  who really care, but may not appreciate this potential hazard, I only hope my few words will help to prevent a future accident, for the new parents or carers.