Montessori Floor Beds Recalls: Make Sure Your Child's Bed is Safe

Several of our customers have contacted us inquiring about the recent recall of Montessori beds with rails.  Custom Kids Furniture’s beds are not included in the recall. Our beds meet all applicable safety standards.

Which beds were recalled? The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled about 7,450 Zipadee Kids Convertible House Bed Frames and Montessori Floor Beds on August 17, 2023.  Read the recall notice here with more details. Why were the beds recalled?  The bed rails or spindles were spaced too far apart and posed an entrapment hazard.  According to customers who purchased a Zipadee Kids bed and posted on Reddit, the spindles of their bed were spaced a little over 4 inches apart. 

CPSC guidelines state that rail spacing for toddler beds should be 3.3 inches or less.  Safety guidelines state that rail spacing for cribs shall be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart.

Our Montessori floor beds with rails are all built with rail spacing less than 3.3 inches to ensure your child's safety.  Starting in October 2023, all of our floor beds with rails will be built with crib rail spacing less than 2 3/8 inches apart to be as safe as possible. 

So why are some Montessori floor beds with rails for sale with rail spacing greater that 3.3 inches?  It is likely due to the definition of a toddler bed in safety standards, which states that "a toddler bed is a bed that is sized to accept a full-size crib mattress and is intended for use by a child not less than 15 months of age and who weighs no more than 50 lb." So Montessori Floor Beds with Rails that are twin size, full size, or larger may not required to meet toddler rail spacing guidelines.  Custom Kids Furniture understands that parents are purchasing all different sizes of Montessori floor beds with rails for their young children, and so all sizes of our floor beds with rails are built to meet safety standards for toddler beds.

Proper rail spacing is important because it prevents accidental entrapment incidents. Children tend to move around during sleep, and if the rail spacing is too wide, they may inadvertently get their heads or limbs stuck between the guardrails. By adhering to rail spacing safety standards, manufacturers reduce the risk of such incidents.

Warning signs

Warning signs that a company isn't following proper safety standards:

1.  Their product description doesn't state the rail spacing.

2.  Their product description doesn't reference safety testing.

3.  Upon request, the company cannot provide proof of safety testing.

4.  The photos of the beds appear that rail spacing is greater than 3.3 inches.

Examples of Concerning Montessori Floor Beds Designs

1.  The floor bed pictured below is currently for sale on a major U.S. marketplace.  The railings appear to be spaced greater than 3.3 inches apart.

2. This toddler floor bed shown below is currently for sale on Amazon.  The horizontal railing design is concerning, because the space between the bottom of the railing and the top of the mattress depends on the thickness of the mattress.  Also, the pillow products shown in the picture may be considered crib bumpers. The CPSC issued a statutory ban of crib bumpers that took effect by operation of law on November 12, 2022.

3.  See below for another popular Montessori floor bed for sale.  With this design, it's important to make sure there isn't more than 3.3 inches between the top of the mattress and the first rail.

Rail spacing safety standards are not to be overlooked when choosing a bed for your child. They exist to protect your little one during the night, offering a secure and peaceful sleep environment. By selecting a bed that adheres to these standards, you're taking a proactive approach to safeguarding your child and allowing them to rest safely. In addition, don't forget to consult your child's pediatrician. Your child's pediatrician is the best resource for sleep decisions, as they know your child and their individual needs.  Please contact us with any additional questions or concerns about toddler rail spacing.