We were delighted this week to read A Safe Space Bed for Autism: Why I'm Recommending Creative Care's Travel Pod, written by Samantha Thompson for CHIRYŌ Light Therapy. CHIRYŌ are healthy lighting specialists who work closely with families on sleep, and Samantha got in touch with us while researching portable safety beds. We talked her through the Travel Pod and shared photos from our workshop, and we're thrilled with what she wrote.
Thinking about the parents too
What struck us most about the article is that it doesn't stop at the child. As Samantha puts it, the parent lying awake listening out for a night-time run around the house "is living with the same lack of sleep, for years." We hear this from families every week. A safe space bed keeps a child safe, but it also lets the rest of the household finally get some rest.
That matters even more away from home. A holiday, a weekend with grandparents or a respite stay can undo weeks of settled sleep. The article sums up the Travel Pod's purpose well: it gives a child "the same secure, familiar bed they already know from home, wherever they happen to be."
What the article covers
Samantha explains what to look for in a travel safety bed: fully enclosed, robust, free of sharp edges, quick to put up without tools and light enough to actually take with you. She then looks at how the Travel Pod meets that brief:
- The zips sit in a concealed channel, so they can't be reached or worked loose by a child who rocks, kicks or jumps while settling.
- The pod weighs just 24kg and packs into two transport bags of around 28cm by 100cm, small enough to fit between the wheel arches of a car as small as a Volkswagen Up.
- It comes in a range of designs, so it feels homely rather than clinical in a hotel room or at a relative's house.
- It's available in adult and junior sizes, and many airlines will carry it free of charge as medical equipment, although it's always worth checking with yours before you fly.
A family's story
The article also quotes Sheila, one of the families on our testimonials page, who had worried they might have to stop travelling altogether because of the lack of sleep and the danger to their son. After their first holiday with a Travel Pod she told us:
"Ultimately he was safe, bonus we all got sleep without sleeping with one eye open!"
Ryanair carried the pod on their flight free of charge after one simple phone call.
Choosing the right Travel Pod
The standard Travel Pod uses lightweight nylon netting, so it stays light and packs down small for trips. For respite centres, schools and other settings where one pod is shared between several users, our Respite Travel Pod uses the stiffer, water-resistant PVC netting from our permanent Safe & Sound Pods. It's much easier to keep clean between users, though it takes a little more effort to pack away.
The Travel Pod currently starts from £2005 and the Respite Travel Pod from £2335. You'll find the full details on our pricing page.
Thank you
A big thank you to Samantha and the team at CHIRYŌ Light Therapy for taking the time to learn about the Travel Pod and share it with their readers. If you're planning a trip away, take a look at the Travel Pod and our guide to travelling with a special needs child. If you'd like to talk through which size or version would suit your family, get in touch with the team. We're always happy to help.