Personal Injury Law

Safety alert: adult sleepwear flammability

One of the popular Christmas presents for you this year, especially with Chicago winters, may be a pair of warm pajamas. But, be careful ? one of the biggest issues with product liability is adult sleepwear flammability. And it has been for a while ? so much so that in 1953, Congress created the Flammable Fabrics Act as a means of setting standards for the flammability of clothing textiles. The Act?s intent was to create a procedure for testing and determining if clothing was at risk for igniting when exposed to open flame or optimal heat, especially when worn. Almost twenty years later, in 1972, Congress created the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which then oversaw the flammability standards. While the CPSC published and evaluated the Flammable Fabrics Act, the majority of the new language involved children?s clothing and it only mentioned very little about adult sleepwear.

The Act?s scant mentions of adult sleepwear flammability leave out a significant portion of individuals subject to potential product liability. Simple household activities can lead to clothing catching fire, especially among individuals who regularly cook. Sleepwear, which is often loose fitting, can be exposed to intense heat or flame from stovetops and ovens. And because of the lack of adequate standards for safety, adult sleepwear is commonly made from flammable materials. So, please, in order to avoid burn injuries, practice caution when working around the house near hot items or fireplaces.

Full post as published by Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog on December 29, 2010 (boomark / email).