Safety Tips for Sleepwalkers

If you find yourself with a sleepwalker in the house, consider these tips to create a safe sleep environment.

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night to find your child standing at the side of the bed — asleep? Less than 3 percent of children preschoolers and school-aged children walk in their sleep, but it does happen. A stressful situation, sleep deprivation or change in routine can cause a child to sleepwalk. If you find yourself with a sleepwalker in the house, consider these tips to create a safe sleep environment.

1. No bunk beds. He may be stealthy as a ninja, but bunk beds can be a hazard for a sleepwalker.

2. Remove sharp or breakable objects from the area near the bed.

3. Install gates on stairways. Like the bunk bed, stairs can be a tripping hazard for a sleepwalker.

4. Lock exterior doors. Make sure exterior doors are locked and can’t be easily unlocked from the inside to prevent a sleepwalker from wandering outside for a midnight stroll.

Source: National Sleep Foundation.