Ottoman Bed Safety Guide
Are you worried about the safety of your ottoman bed? Perhaps you’re not sure where to assemble one, or how to open the storage safely? Well, we’re here to help - in this guide, we’re sharing clear advice on what to do (and what not to do) with an ottoman bed, so you can enjoy all the benefits, while keeping you and your family safe from harm.
Are ottoman beds safe?
We’d like to start by reassuring you right away - yes, our ottoman beds are safe. Every single range of furniture we sell at DFS, including all our ottoman beds, has gone through rigorous independent testing to ensure safety, quality and structural integrity. So as long as you follow our assembly instructions and safe operating guidance, you can rest assured your ottoman bed will be perfectly safe to use.customisable upgrades. From charging sockets within the sofa, to a relaxing recliner, we’re all about making our sofas work for you.
The possible dangers of ottoman beds
While our ottoman beds themselves aren’t inherently dangerous, like most things you have in your house, they have the potential to become dangerous or cause injury if not used properly. Here are the main issues to be aware of….
Entrapment
While rare, the majority of accidents involving ottoman beds are due to trapped limbs or other body parts. Always take care when operating an ottoman bed and only operate it from the intended access point indicated - don’t try to open an end-opening ottoman from the head end, for example.
Keep children and pets away from the bed while in operation, and if possible, only operate it while another adult is in the house - so if you do become trapped, they can release you or call for help. It’s also a good idea to keep items you’re storing close to the sides of the ottoman for easy reaching - you should never have your head or body inside the unit.
Gas strut failure
The gas-powered lifting struts on ottoman beds have a recommended safe operating limit, in place to avoid the platform collapsing while in use.
To avoid this, ensure you don’t overload your bed past the recommended weight limits, and when lifting the platform, ensure it is fully pushed up into its most extended position. If your struts feel at all temperamental or weak, discontinue the use of the lifting mechanism, do not operate the bed alone, and repair or replace this element as soon as possible.
Frame collapse
Like with any type of bed, an ottoman bed which has not been assembled correctly, is damaged, or is overloaded, is at risk of collapse, which has the potential to cause injury.
Always follow the assembly instructions carefully, and regularly check the structural integrity of the bed frame throughout its life in your home.
How to make an ottoman bed safe
So we’ve explored some possible concerns of ottoman beds - but how do you go the extra mile and ensure you avoid them? Check out our tips below on making and keeping your ottoman bed safe to use in your home.
Purchase from a reputable retailer
When selecting a new ottoman bed - or really any new piece of furniture - it’s imperative that you buy one that has undergone proper safety testing. While there are many retailers, particularly online, offering ottoman beds at very low prices, there is often a reason for this - they may have had to cut corners in quality of components, manufacturing, and safety testing to be able to bring a bed to market at this price.
Here at DFS, our product ranges undergo rigorous testing before we offer them for sale. We also audit all of our suppliers annually, ensuring they are committed to best practice when manufacturing DFS products - which might not be the case at other online retailers and marketplaces. Choosing a retailer you know and trust, who can provide information about product safety and independent testing, will offer the peace of mind that you and your family will be safe.
Dispose of all packaging safely and responsibly
To prevent injury and limit impact on the local environment, you should dispose of all packaging carefully and responsibly, using local recycling services where available.
We know product packaging can be an annoyance to dispose of and does have an impact on the environment, but it’s a delicate balance to keep the impact low while still ensuring furniture arrives in tip-top condition (as replacing damages creates further environmental impact). Here at DFS we’re working to reduce the environmental impact of our packaging - including introducing recycled plastic packaging in many of our ranges, working hard to ensure ALL plastic packaging is made from recycled content, aiming to remove all polystyrene from packaging by the end of 2024, and working with suppliers to use more sustainable packaging where possible - for example, swapping from plastic to cardboard.
Regularly check the structural integrity of your bed
It’s not just the mechanism that can be dangerous on an ottoman bed - as with any furniture, if it is not maintained correctly, it can cause injury. Regularly check all bolts, nuts, and the frame are solid and secure to ensure your bed is still performing. To ensure structural integrity in the long term, do not jump on the bed frame, overload the bed, and always ensure it is properly re-assembled and on a flat surface if you take it apart to move it.
Keep your bed clean
Regular cleaning and maintenance can help to minimise allergens, prolong the life of your bed frame, and uncover any damage or weak spots that may need to be addressed. Check out our bed cleaning and care guide for tips on caring for different types of beds.
Be mindful of ottoman bed weight limits
Since the gas struts and frame of an ottoman bed need to cope with the weight of mattresses and bedding you put on top, any safety testing will allow for this - but there is always a safe limit. Always adhere to the specific weight recommendations for your ottoman bed, and don’t forget to include the weight of the mattress, topper, duvet, pillows and any bedding you put on your bed. At DFS, the weight recommendation for your specific bed style and size can be found within the assembly instructions, or on our website on the product page for your selected bed.
Follow the ottoman operating instructions
Ottoman beds use a pressurised mechanism and gas struts which may be more powerful than you expect, so always follow the operating instructions and use caution when operating your bed. Ensure any occupants of the room are clear of the bed while opening or closing the bed. Only open the storage ottoman from the intended access point, labelled access point, loop or cut out - this is to ensure safety and avoid entrapment. Only use the storage compartment when the frame is fully raised in the ‘up’ position, and do not overload drawers or storage areas.
Do not remain on the bed whilst the lifting mechanism is in use. When lifting the bed, remove all bedding - except the fitted sheet. You must also ensure the mattress is situated securely on the bed frame before lifting the mechanism - failure to do so may result in injury. If removing the mattress, first make sure that the frame is secured as it could flip open.
Don’t operate the bed around young children or pets
Young children and pets can easily become trapped or injured by ottoman beds if care is not taken. Ensure children and pets are kept away from the bed when you are operating the bed mechanism. Do not allow children to operate the mechanism - it is not a toy and the bed is much too heavy to be operated safely by a child. Also ensure no children or animals are left unattended nearby when the frame is in the ‘up’ position - close the bed again before you leave the room.
Don’t operate the bed while distracted
To ensure utmost safety, don’t operate your ottoman bed while distracted or carrying any items. Always use two hands at arm’s length when opening and closing the storage ottoman. Also be aware of entrapment around moving parts when in use and accessing the storage area - keep both hands and all body parts clear of the mechanism while in operation.
Use the locking mechanism if available
Some ottoman beds come with a locking mechanism, which will keep the bed closed while not in operation. If yours has this feature, make use of it - particularly if there are young children or pets in your home.
Dispose of your bed responsibly at the end of its life
Ensuring you dispose of your bed responsibly when it’s worn out or no longer needed is very important - this helps to protect the local environment, and some components may even be able to be re-used or recycled. Upholstered furniture in particular cannot be discarded with standard household waste as UK legislation prohibits any upholstered items from being sent to landfill. You have a few options here; if the bed still has some life left in it, local charity organisations would be very grateful for it. If not, you can dismantle and take the bed to your local authority waste disposal centre, arrange a bulky waste collection through your local council’s website, or use a service like Clearabee to dispose of it responsibly.
Follow the assembly instructions carefully
All our beds come with full assembly instructions to help you put the bed together safely. They must be followed carefully to ensure the structural integrity of your bed.
Download our full ottoman bed safety instructions
All customers who purchase an ottoman bed from DFS automatically receive a link to our handy PDF download, with our full ottoman bed safety information. Download your own copy below.
