Bed rails can be a great way to help kids and adults avoid falling out of bed. But they are not for everyone. Maybe you have trouble getting in or out of bed, but don’t want to use a rail. Or maybe you’re looking for something different because your child is old enough now that he or she doesn’t need one any more.
Whatever the case may be, there are many alternatives to using a traditional bed rail!
Simple Bed Rail Alternatives
In this article, we will discuss 7 alternatives that can keep you from falling from your bed, without a bed rail.
1- Place Your Bed Next to a Wall
If you’re worried about falling out of bed, but don’t want to use a rail, try placing your bed next to a wall in the room.
Having your bed up against a wall will give you peace of mind that you won’t roll off from that side at night. It also provides extra leverage when turning to either side or for getting out of bed.
2- Keep a Chair Near Your Bed
Another easy step to take is to put a chair near your bed. If you have trouble getting up or down, then this is one of the smartest solutions for anyone who doesn’t want to use a rail and needs additional help in those areas.
When sitting on the chair, make sure it’s sturdy enough that it won’t tip over backwards when trying to get out of bed.
3- Raise One Side of Your Mattress
For those who have trouble getting in or out of bed, a great idea is to raise one side of your mattress. This will create an incline that provides more leverage when attempting to get up and down from the bed.
You can either use a standard or wedge pillow, folded blanket, or even a stuffed animal to prop-up either side of the mattress.
If you’re more worried about rolling off of your bed, then try raising both sides instead. This will create a slope where it’s slightly easier to roll down into as opposed to out from under!
4- Use a Soft Mattress Pad
If you’re not that worried about falling, but are concerned with sliding off of the bed in the middle of the night, then adding an extra layer might be helpful.
A soft mattress toper or even a thick fitted sheet can provide enough of a cushion to help your body sink into your bed.
5- Use a Nightstand
Many of us already have a nightstand near our beds. They are a convenient place to keep reading materials, a phone and even an alarm nearby. But it can even be used as a barrier to prevent you from rolling out of bed in place of a bed rail.
6- Line Pillows on the side of your bed
Another great way to keep from rolling off of the bed is lining pillows on one side. This will create a buffer between your body and the edge of the bed making it more difficult to roll off.
Some pillows, like these down pillows, have a higher loft than others. The higher the loft, the better job it will do to prevent you from rolling off your bed.
7- Use a Towel as a Safety Net
If you’re still looking for something other than a bed rail to help your kid from falling off their bed, try this!
Find a long towel and fold it in half lengthwise. Drape the folded end over the side of your bed, creating a kind of net that will catch them before they roll off during the night!
Conclusion
The best way to avoid falling and staying safe in bed is by using a variety of different solutions. Whether you’re looking for something that will keep your body from rolling off the edge, or something more comfortable like raising one side of your mattress, these are all great options worth considering!
Your safest bet is an actual bed rail that is designed for this purpose. But, if you want to avoid using one for whatever reason or are simply looking for other ideas, the options we mentioned above are all good alternatives to help you stay safe in bed!
