Mattresses and Bedding Fire Safty

Mattresses and Bedding Fire Safety Recommendations

The most recent national fire loss estimates indicated that mattresses and bedding were the first items to ignite in 19,400 residential fires attended by the fire service annually during 1995–1999.

These fires resulted in 440 deaths, 2,230 injuries and $273.9 million in property loss each year. Open flame ignition sources accounted for 35 percent of these fires and smoking material sources accounted for 30 percent of the fires. The remaining fires included a variety of ignition sources including heat sources too close to the bed.

• DO NOT smoke in bed. Smoking in bed is a major cause of accidental fire deaths in homes.
• Locate heaters or other fire sources three feet from the bed to prevent the bed catching on fire.
• Consider replacing your old mattress with a new one if you are a smoker. Mattresses manufactured since 1973 are required to resist cigarette ignition.

YES    NOMattresses and Bedding Fire Safety Checklist

|_____|   |_____|"No smoking in bed" is a rule that is practiced in my home.

|_____|   |_____|Heaters, ash trays, smoking materials and other fire sources are located away from bedding.