Bed rails and bars

For some people a bed is not just somewhere to rest or sleep, but additionally a potentially dangerous place because of the risk of falling.

People can fall out of a bed as a result of turning over during sleep, or equally they can have a fall or slip during getting into or out of a bed.

Because many modern thick mattresed beds and orthopedic beds now have a sleeping surface that can sit 2 feet (600 mm) or more above the floor, falling from a bed can result in injuries ranging from bruising and sprains to broken bones. These injuries can be particularly common in the elderly, or people with mobility limitations or who are physically challenged.

Bed railings

The most effective way to reduce or even eliminate the risk of falling out of a bed is to have protective side rails. These rails can be supported on frames with casters that slide under the bed frame, or they can be supported by placing the lower section of a “slide under” frame between the mattress and the bed.

Rails of this type are easy to position and remove and they serve to act as a barrier that prevents anyone in a bed from falling or rolling out of it.

Bed rails can run for the full length of the bed, or they can be considerably shorter. Whilst metal (often plastic coated) rails were once the only option, bed “fall out” rails are now available in a board like formats, often with transparent panels that make it possible to get light through them and even to see through them. Padded panels are also available.

Another variation on bedside rails is the rail that is physically attached to the bed and which can be lifted or lowered when not in use. These rails are normally fitted to dependency beds and some hospital beds and they can be quickly lifted into position or lowered out of the way when not required.

They other advantage to standard bed rails is that the tubular rail (horizontal) can be used as a support aid to help get into and out of a bed, or it can be used as a prop, or to enable someone lever themselves upwards by pushing down against it.

A final variation on the bed rail is the one which also includes a tray that spans across the bed. This type of rail will normally have a caster base that rolls under the bed and it can be used for eating and drinking, or as a shelf for books and other personal items.

Another way of reducing the occurrence of injury resulting from people falling out of a bed is to surround the floor areas to the sides of the bed with impact absorbing matting. You can find out about this by visiting our bed fall out mats page.