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Original poster

Are ottoman beds safe

17 replies

Nik2879 · 14/10/2024 06:57

Was thinking of getting an ottoman bed for my boys room for the storage it offers but have since read a couple of stories about them hurting people falling on them. Does anyone work in a bed shop and know if they are safe? Wouldnt want to put something in his room that could hurt him.

OP posts:
WireItBackToZero · 14/10/2024 07:09

Both my sons have them, they are both now adults but have had them a long time. They are very heavy to lift so not something children would or should access themselves. It is the weight of the mattress combined with the top of the bed, so very heavy for a child, still a bit of effort for an adult. Theirs are side lifts as their beds are against the wall. However, Dh's mate had his bed collapse on him; he had one arm inside the bed. I think it was an end lift king size and he was near the pillow end. He was trapped and suffered some minor nerve damage to his arm because he was alone in the house when it happened.

I have no idea what make his bed was but I would say buy from a reputable company. I would think that there have been a couple of freak accidents but also that a hell of a lot of them have been sold due to that storage. I am considering buying one for our bedroom next year. If you are concerned, try one out in a bed shop to see how heavy they are to lift. I tend to lift it and hold it with one hand whilst I get something out but I only access it maybe once every 3 months or so.

DanielaDressen · 14/10/2024 07:11

I get a bit scared by mine as have a heavy memory foam mattress on it and a heavy wool duvet. Sometimes I’m leaning into it and thinking this could be bad if it fell down. Then in the paper yesterday I read about a woman who was killed when this happened and the coroner said it’s a risk and could happen again.

DreamW3aver · 14/10/2024 07:11

What a weird coincidence, I read a news article yesterday about a woman who was killed by one and had to Google what they are, have you seen that?

teatimelover · 14/10/2024 07:14

I have intrusive thoughts pretty much about everything and I also have one and never go underneath it for the same reasons. I shuffle around the sides to get access to certain items. Normally I place items that I will never use below the pillow side. The foot side I place items I will need more frequently. It's excellent for storage otherwise living in a London flat I'm not exactly blessed with storage, so it's excellent to store things. My Xmas tree is even in there!

DogwoodTree · 14/10/2024 07:15

if you’re worried about leaning into it and it falling, have something sticking up like a prop.

DanielaDressen · 14/10/2024 07:16

DogwoodTree · 14/10/2024 07:15

if you’re worried about leaning into it and it falling, have something sticking up like a prop.

I did think about that earlier. Trying to think of something big and strong enough.

bergamotorange · 14/10/2024 07:19

Yes, they are potentially dangerous, occasionally (note occasionally) people are hurt.

Underbed drawers or other storage is more future proof, as an ottoman is hard to use if your strength or mobility reduces for any reason.

bergamotorange · 14/10/2024 07:21

Just reread the OP: I wouldn't get one for a child. I'd get boxes that slide under the bed.

lololulu · 14/10/2024 07:26

Mines a kingsize Ottoman.

If they weren't safe surely they couldn't sell them?

ExquisiteIyDecorated · 14/10/2024 07:27

We've had a kingsize one for about 10 years, our DCs were able to lift it as soon as we got it, age 8 and 10. It has 4 lifters, the man in the shop recommended it because it makes it lighter to lift and safer as if one fails the other three will hold it. I must admit I rummage about in it all the time and have never once worried about it falling. For singles you would only get two lifters so an additional prop would be a good idea if you can secure it. We had drawers previously and they held far less stuff and were limited by the presence of bedside tables, you could only open the ones at the foot of the bed without moving the tables and we have a small room so that was a problem.

Original poster
Nik2879 · 14/10/2024 11:07

Thanks everyone lots of great advice. Ive seen a hide away bed by hypnosis that would feel a bit safer for him but there so expensive and no other brands seem to be making them yet.

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 15/10/2024 21:05

Google yesterday's news ... a lady died due to.faulty ottoman

bergamotorange · 15/10/2024 21:07

lololulu · 14/10/2024 07:26

Mines a kingsize Ottoman.

If they weren't safe surely they couldn't sell them?

Many things that are not safe are sold.

The coroner in the most recent case has raised the issues of risk of injury and death.

PickAChew · 15/10/2024 21:08

Nik2879 · 14/10/2024 11:07

Thanks everyone lots of great advice. Ive seen a hide away bed by hypnosis that would feel a bit safer for him but there so expensive and no other brands seem to be making them yet.

IKEA do couple of beds with storage drawers underneath. Much safer and more reasonably priced.

TiramisuThief · 15/10/2024 21:13

I do sometimes worry about being trapped if the pistons fail. Mine is a really really heavy mattress.

I try not to put my head into it, only arms.

Ineedanewsofa · 15/10/2024 21:31

We’ve got 2, both with big, heavy mattresses on BUT the product info for both beds told us the maximum weight it could safely keep lifted so we made sure the mattresses are well within the weight limits. We tend to use them to store things that we don’t need frequently like xmas decorations so they only get lifted a few times a year. If I needed really regular access I think I’d go for drawers instead

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