Flammability Standards for Children's Sleepwear
Sharon Stevens, Former Assistant Coordinator, Missouri Textile and Apparel Center,
College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia

Flame-resistant sleepwear does not ignite easily and must self-extinguish quickly to meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements.

Snug-fitting garments that meet CPSC sizing guidelines are made from fabrics that aren't flame-resistant, but don't create an unreasonable risk of burn injuries to children because they limit the airspace underneath the garment.

The CPSC is the federal agency that sets national standards for flammability in children's sleepwear. Flammability risks are measured in terms of exposure by small, open flames such as candles, ranges or space heaters.

The following guidelines for sleepwear will help reduce he risk of child-related burn injuries:

• Don't let children sleep in loose-fitting or oversized garments such as T-shirts, sweatsuits, or other apparel made from non-flame-resistant fabrics. These items ignite more easily I exposed to an open flame or comparable heat source.
   
• Buy either flame-resistant sleepwear or make sure that garments are made from natural fibers and fit snugly.
   
• Be aware that the CPSC requires all snug-fitting children's sleepwear (from sizes 9 months through size 14) to carry a label that reads: "Wear Snug-Fitting, Not Flame Resistant."
  
  The CPSC also requires hangtags that read: "For child's safety, garment should fit snugly. This garment is not flame resistant. A loose-fitting garment is more likely to catch fire."
   
• Be extremely cautious with space heaters, fireplaces, stove-top ranges, matches, lighters, and candles.