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AIBU?

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AIBU to worry a metal bed frame could be unsafe for a tween

55 replies

tonkendear · 29/08/2026 19:17

https://www.dunelm.com/product/emily-metal-bed-frame-1000295082?defaultSkuId=31055771&size=Small+Double+4ft&colour=Cream

Am I being unreasonable to think that the gap between the bars could present a risk to a tween/young teenager, if their head were to become stuck between them? (I haven't measured the width of the gap). Or am I unreasonably stuck in some sort of baby / toddler safe sleeping mode? Tell me if IABU. Teen likes this style.

Emily Metal Bed Frame | Dunelm

* Durable metal frame * Curved top rails * Powder coated finish * Classic design Bring timeless style to your bedroom with this metal bed frame, featuring gently curved top rails for a softer, classic look. The durable metal construction is finished...

https://www.dunelm.com/product/emily-metal-bed-frame-1000295082?colour=Cream&defaultSkuId=31055771&size=Small+Double+4ft

OP posts:
IfIHadAHeart · 29/08/2026 23:16

I’ve got a metal bed. Not that one though, mine is the more “ornate” style headboard. It doesn’t squeak at all.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 29/08/2026 23:14

I got my knee stuck between the vertical pipe things in an old fashioned radiator when I was a "tween". Felt a right twonk. So, these things do happen...

Pinkflamingo10 · 29/08/2026 23:10

We had this bed. Really uncomfortable to sit up in. Slats as a base also very noisy. Have since bought something else.

NotAnotherScarf · 29/08/2026 22:54

GaIadriel · 29/08/2026 19:35

This is a...unique...concern.

That said, I'm still a little afraid of those fold out fishing chairs after reading the story of that Japanese guy who had one collapse and a leg go up his 🍑 almost killing him.

And i thought i was funny..you win

NotAnotherScarf · 29/08/2026 22:52

No don't buy it. Also don't buy soap bars as they are a choke hazard. Plus don't let your kid anywhere near pizza...the cheese is actually made of milk. And don't let them walk anywhere in shoes as shoes give you cancer, everyone knows that.

Plus don't let any child, over five, ever, at all, on no account see a cartoon...brain tumour instantly

Cloverroll · 29/08/2026 22:02

I went to boarding school aged 11. We all had metal bed frames. No-one ever got stuck.

Brightbluesomething · 29/08/2026 22:00

That’s a very strange worry to have.
But DD did have one of these until last year. Really squeaky. I replaced it with a divan with a padded headboard which is comfier to sit up scrolling in bed against.

karayza · 29/08/2026 20:50

If you're worried about the bars, I got my 9yo DD a giant kinda crown 👑 shaped tufted pillow that's 3ft wide from temu for about a tenner and it has band to hook around the headboard of her pink metal bedframe and she seems to be happy enough with it!

tonkendear · 29/08/2026 20:26

Funny replies😂thank you.

So I'm pretty unanimously unreasonable. I don't have an anxiety disorder, thankfully, but something about cots and safe sleeping must have gotten under my skin in those sleep deprived years. I wasn't thinking that they'd actually actively stick their head in between (although with teenagers you never do know) but perhaps could get stuck in between while sleeping, no idea how far the gap. Glad I asked and happy to be unreasonable as we may get it for dd after all, although the squeakiness pp mentioned does not sound great. Apparently metal beds are all the rage with teens, I've never slept in one.

OP posts:
Loulou4022 · 29/08/2026 20:26

Please tell me this is a wind up!!

Lemonfrost · 29/08/2026 20:20

You cannot be serious OP

Pinkgin00 · 29/08/2026 20:14

To answer your question, yes you are stuck in the baby/toddler phase of safe sleeping.

BertieBotts · 29/08/2026 20:12

Tweenagers do not have disproportionately large heads in the way babies and toddlers do, their shoulders are bigger than the widest point of their head. And their limbs and bodies are much much longer. Medium sized gaps are dangerous to very young children because they may try to crawl backwards through them (or roll/wriggle into them in their sleep) and their body fits through but their head does not, which puts dangerous amounts of pressure on their neck, posing an asphyxiation risk. Also a baby/toddler does not know how to free themselves by reversing the way they got stuck, whereas an older child barring disabilities will know this (or as others pointed out they could shout for help).

So yes, you're well past the age where this would be considered a risk, that age is probably passed by about 5 years old.

In any case this gap looks wider than the size which is disallowed - the risky gap is when it's wider than 6.5cm but smaller than 20cm or something like that - it might be 23/25cm but I can't find the source now. If the young child's entire body including the head can fit through, then it's still a risk for falls (for things like bannisters or bunk beds) but no longer for entrapment.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 29/08/2026 20:11

Brendayouknowthatyouremuchtoolazy · 29/08/2026 19:27

Rather depends on how much of a spanner your child is.

Why did the laugh emoji get canned 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

MrsBatshitRatshit · 29/08/2026 20:11

Well, if your child hasn't enough sense not to stick her head through the bars, one embarrassing experience should be sufficient to make the point.

PinkyFlamingo · 29/08/2026 19:58

Don't think many young teenagers would want to stick their head between the bars! Have you got an issue with anxiety? Because this is probably the maddest thing I've read today!

MelonSorbet · 29/08/2026 19:56

I promise you that never in history has a child of tweenage years got their head stuck in a bed frame.

MiceSpiders · 29/08/2026 19:55

GaIadriel · 29/08/2026 19:35

This is a...unique...concern.

That said, I'm still a little afraid of those fold out fishing chairs after reading the story of that Japanese guy who had one collapse and a leg go up his 🍑 almost killing him.

That's not how that chair leg got there...... 😂

MiceSpiders · 29/08/2026 19:54

We have similar in the spare room my head doesn't fit between the bars , you will need plenty of pillows though, maybe a triangle one for reading etc

superchick · 29/08/2026 19:53

And what... they shout "muuuuuumm, I'm stuck" and you go in and unstick them. Its not dangerous.

Wingingit73 · 29/08/2026 19:49

🫣

GaIadriel · 29/08/2026 19:35

This is a...unique...concern.

That said, I'm still a little afraid of those fold out fishing chairs after reading the story of that Japanese guy who had one collapse and a leg go up his 🍑 almost killing him.

TeenLifeMum · 29/08/2026 19:32

I have a similar bed and my head fits between without getting stuck … if she wants to sit up in bed then she’ll need to have lots of pillows (I find 4 enough).

ToKittyornottoKitty · 29/08/2026 19:30

If you are worrying for your own child because they’re particularly clumsy/dim then just buy another bed. If you think this bed is a danger to all tweens then you have problems really

Brendayouknowthatyouremuchtoolazy · 29/08/2026 19:27

Rather depends on how much of a spanner your child is.