Bedroom Talk

What age can kids have a bedroom in the basement? Is it safe?

Our children are still to small to have a bedroom in the basement? (They are under 5 yrs old.) But what age would be okay and is it safe? I should of asked my question more clearer. I would never have my 5yr old downstairs. I was wondering if 10 yrs old would still be to small?

Public Comments

1. I've had a bedroom in a basement since i was the age of 9
2. I would say wait until 16... the feeling of security they have down there might make them feel safe enough to do things they wouldn't in a regular bedroom
3. I would say when they're more independent and aren't afraid anymore throughout the night. I would think around 8 or 9. But I wouldn't put my kids in a basement with no windows in case of a fire. You should just make sure that they know what to do in case of fire and you should have an extra carbon monoxide detector down there. Plus when you think they're ready you should sit them down and ask them if they're ready because they might not want to live down there.
4. IDk I just stuff ever one in the the basement i don't care i leave them done there all day with knives
5. We don't tend to have basements in the UK, would your children be assible if there was a house fire etc? If you can hear them cry out in the night or be able to tend to their needs I don't see a problem with them been in a different room as long as it is safe x
6. Why would anyone put their kid in the basement? Get a bigger house. The basement could be a playroom or familyroom or laundry room, not a child's room. Not enough supervision there and not to mention "scary".
7. i wouldnt do it until they were preteen/teen. a basement might be too scary for them. and if you have a natural disaster, your children are a bit far away than just right down the hall.
8. 5 years is too young i think but later. As soon as they look to you for help and yet still assert independence (like 11 and up) give it to them if they want it. At 5 years probably not safe.
9. I would say when they are mature enough to safely evacuate the house on their own in case of fire or other emergency.
10. 55 years old
11. I wouldn't have a child that young in the basement. Unless you have a monitoring system or camera to watch him. Also, is there an exit if there is a fire? Also, if there is an exit, I would install alarms--you can buy these at Lowes-- so if the door opens and alarms sounds. I would think maybe age 11+ is OK. It depends on the layout of your home.
12. Knowing when your basement is safe is pretty much up to you. Make sure the basement doesn't have anything dangerous down there obviously. If your house is in a flood zone i would maybe think twice about having the kids down there. One of the things you can do to see if your children are ready is ask them yourself. I would make the age limit maybe 8 or 9.
13. Totally depends on your basement. Does it have egress windows? Fire and carbon monoxide detectors? Can your children safely get upstairs, call you if needed? I think it is a personal choice. I didn't mind being in the basement when I was young, but I had an older sister there with me. So there is all sorts of factors to consider. Maybe wait until the child shows interest?
14. i think it would depend on the basement, , and then i think a parent could use common sense, and gut feeling, there are a lot of things to consider, there age, the basement, the safety, some basements are unsafe, some have a bulked that leads outside, and others are just like another room,so i guess it would all depend on everything
15. should the kids need u in the night you dont want them stumbling up/down stairs in the dark. Can u hear them if they call you? what if they have to pee in the middle of the night? they may be a bit too disoriented in the middle of the night to tackle stairs, even with a light. i wouldnt do it til about age 8.
16. Depends on the basement. If the door to it is inside the house like any other room, then it's not really a factor. If it's separated from the living areas, then only the most trustworhy teen should live down there.
17. I just went through the same situation. I was living in a basement with my husband and my kids. There was so many problems with it. It was gross. The neighbors called the town and we had to leave and I was kind of grateful. The town told me that no one is permitted to sleep in a basement. Its dangerous and extremely unhealthy. Theres no way to get out ,if theres a fire. If anyone found out your kids slept down there you could get in alot of trouble. Trust me people made comments when we were living in one. A basement is a good play room, but nothing other then that. Well I hoped I answered your question.
18. I had a room in a finished basement from the age of 7. It wasn't scary, and it was right next to the stairs which led directly to the back door (in case of fire). Actually, we lived in Tornado Alley. When there were storms predicted, my mom would have all the kids take their sleeping bags into that room; it was easier than waking them every time the tornado sirens went off.
19. it depends on the basement. its need to be secure and warm during the night, provideing it is, its no worse then a normal bedroom, i personally would wait till the child is atlest 8, all those stairs to the bathroom and all that ;)
20. Depends on the basement. My favorite room as a kid was in the basement. Dad fixed it up with a 'real stall door'. (I loved horses, and the top 1/2 or bottom 1/2 of the door could be opened separately). We were in the basement from about 3rd grade on. This way we got our own room. We were given a brick (just in case of fire so we could break the window and get out). The rooms were bright. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. What difference if they are in the basement or on the 2nd floor? AND...Jumping in the basement did not get us in trouble. Our parents even gave us a ping pong table down there. Pretty cool just sitting here thinking about it. Wish we had a basement here for our kids. AND...think of the safety in a storm?? Very cool!