FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEF

When a mattress catches fire, every second counts.

That’s why Louisville Bedding Co. has developed an innovative new product that will limit the spread and intensity of mattress fires and give families more time to escape in the event of a home fire.

The FireDefender Sleep System is a two-piece, fire-resistant mattress and box-spring cover set created with naturally flame resistant fibers that help delay the spread of a blaze started in mattresses and bedding.

The system hits the market about the same time as the new federal standards for mattress sets, which go into effect July 1. Under the new guidelines, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will require all mattress sets manufactured or imported in the United States to meet a strict, flame-resistant safety standard aimed at limiting the spread and intensity of mattress fires by delaying mattress flashover.

The new FireDefender Sleep System offers a level of protection similar to the new commission standard at a fraction of the cost of a new mattress set. The set retails from $120 to $200.

“This is a convenient and affordable way to better protect your family and your home against the devastation a mattress fire can cause,” said Scott Walters, national merchandising manager for Louisville Bedding Co.

Most mattress fires are started by children under 5 playing with matches and lighters and are the leading cause of fire deaths among preschoolers. When ignited, the flammable materials inside mattresses take just three minutes to reach a deadly “flashover” stage in which an entire room becomes engulfed in flames, making safe exit impossible. Flashover is responsible for two-thirds of all mattress fire fatalities.

To help all families avoid the devastating reality of mattress fires, Louisville Bedding Co. is launching a home fire-safety awareness campaign. The BusyMom’s Guide to Home Fire Safety includes four free, easy-to-read home fire-safety guides available for download on the FireDefender Sleep System Web site, www.fire defendersystem.com.

The sleep system can be purchased through the company’s Web site and is available in many retail stores where bedding is sold and at several online retailers.