Story Published: Jun 20, 2007 at 11:12 PM PDT
For the first time in 30 years, the government has issued new rules on mattresses. We visited one local business that is busting at the seams to comply with the new safety standards.
Each stitch at this mattress factory is a step toward safety. They're one of thousands of manufacturers that are changing the way they make mattresses to comply with new federal regulations aimed at reducing injuries or deaths due to mattress fires.
"It doesn't make a big difference in the mattress feel, its going to be a hidden safety factor," said Jordan Weist of Rest EZ Mattress Factory.
Thirty years ago, standards were tightened to make mattresses more resistant to fires involving cigarettes and other smoking materials, but these changes go one step further.
"The new mattress flammability regulations provide additional protection against fires caused from small open flames such as those caused by candles, matches, lighters," said Nancy Nord of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
To prepare for the new fire retardant standards the Rest EZ Factory is busy changing what's inside their mattresses. They're using naturally inherent fibers instead of chemical to act as a fire barrier.
"This is a blend of cotton and polys that charcoal and suffocates the flame before it gets to any kind of foam of fuel source," said Weist
It's a step many hope will reduce casualties and improve safety.
"It cuts the temperature of the mattress, hopefully in the best case scenario the flame will extinguish within several minutes instead of causing a huge burst of heat flashing over the bedroom," said Weist.
According to the new regulations, mattresses that don't meet the new standards can still be sold by retailers until supplies are gone.
The new federal government regulations on mattresses go into effect July 1.