Mattresses and Bedding

Based on U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data from 1996, there are about 26,000 mattress and bedding fires resulting in about 700 deaths and roughly 2,600 injuries each year. About half of the mattress fire deaths (330) are attributed to careless smoking, but this number has dropped significantly because of a federal mattress flammability standard adopted in the early 1970s. About 130 deaths a year are attributed to small open flame ignitions, and 240 from other causes.

Criticisms of the mattress industry ignore its many positive actions to improve mattress fire safety. The mattress industry has been a full partner in the pursuit of safer products. For example, the industry:

• Worked with the CPSC in the early 1970s to establish mandatory federal standards for cigarette ignitions of mattresses.
• Is now working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the CPSC and NASFM on an open flame standard for residential mattresses. The easy way out would have been to work on a standard limited to small open flame ignitions, but the industry recognizes that most mattresses are covered with sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows which ignite first and, in turn, ignite mattresses.
• Is working with NASFM's Arson and Fire Investigation Committee on the juvenile fire-setter problem.
• Conducts its own consumer safety awareness program and attaches fire safety messages to almost every mattress sold in the US.

In spite of all efforts to address mattress fires, one challenge remains unresolved. Virtually hundreds of thousands of improperly renovated mattresses are being sold each year in the US, and pose a variety of safety and health hazards. The people engaging in this illegal practice ignore all standards - many simply put a new cover on old, contaminated mattresses. NASFM calls on all law and code enforcement officials to crack down on this disgusting and hazardous business.

• NASFM Consumer Product Safety Task Force
• Petition to the CPSC for Rulemaking on Flammability of Certain Items of Bedding (November 2000).
• NASFM Comments on CPSC ANPR, Standard to Address Open Flame Ignition of Mattress/Bedding (December 2001).
• NASFM's statement on TB 603 (Open-Flame Mattress Standard) proposed by the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Insulation (April 22, 2003 hearing).
• Additional NASFM comments on TB 603 (Open-Flame Mattress Standard) proposed by the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (May 1, 2003).
• Letter to CPSC on TB 603 (August 24, 2004).
• NASFM's Comments On Revocation/Amendment of Cigarette Ignition Standard (August 2005).