CPSC Reminds Parents About Nightwear Safety T-shirts cause nearly 200 burn injuries to children each year

December 6, 2000
Release # 01-048

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CPSC: Ken Giles or Jane Francis
(301) 504-0580

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding parents to choose sleepwear that will protect children from serious burn injuries. "Winter is here and parents will be shopping for pajamas that will keep their children warm during the cold weather," said CPSC Commissioner Thomas Moore. "Be sure to shop for safety by looking for tags that say the garment is flame-resistant or snug- fitting."

Loose-fitting T-shirts and other loose-fitting clothing made of cotton or cotton blends should not be used for children's sleepwear. These garments can catch fire easily, burn rapidly, and are associated with nearly 200 emergency-room-treated burn injuries to children each year. Children are most at risk from burn injuries that result from playing with fire (matches, lighters, candles, burners on stoves) just before bedtime and just after rising in the morning.

CPSC sets national safety standards for children's sleepwear flammability to protect children from serious burn injuries if they come in contact with a small flame. Under federal safety rules, garments sold as children's sleepwear for sizes larger than nine months must be either flame-resistant or snug-fitting.

Flame-resistant garments are made from inherently flame-resistant fabrics or are treated with flame retardants and do not continue to burn when removed from a small flame. These sleepwear garments are often labeled "Flame Resistant."

Snug-fitting sleepwear is made of stretchy cotton or cotton blends that fit closely against a child's body. Snug-fitting sleepwear is less likely to come into contact with a flame and does not ignite as easily or burn as rapidly because there is little air under the garment to feed a fire.

"If you're buying snug fitting sleepwear, buy true to size," said Moore. "Because the garment is not flame-resistant, it must fit snugly for safety." Yellow hangtags and permanent labels on snug-fitting children's sleepwear, made of cotton or cotton blends, remind consumers of the importance of a snug fit.