Tempurpedic

While the federal government pushes through with its new mandate for mattress safety standards effective July 1, there are those that say the safety precautions set may actually be more dangerous. The chemicals to achieve a flame-proof mattress are said to cause more harm than good, ten years down the line. Below are the points People for Cleaner Beds Org have made regarding this:

The chemicals used to flameproof mattresses have never been studied for human exposure risk in this application. (Except now the CPSC has released a limited study.)

We know almost all the chemicals to flameproof mattresses are acutely toxic and many also cause cancer.

The best things about this mattress?

• It’s naturally anti-microbial.
• It provides good back support
• Encased with 100% organic cotton cover, easy to wash
• 6 inches, just enough firmness

The not so great thing about this mattress?

• It’s not flame retardant (since it’s chemical free)
• $810

Via A Natural Home

Here are what some mothers from this community says about memory foam versus the safety of allowing babies to sleep in it:

I like the memory foam too, but I’d be very concerned about a young baby in there (like under a year or so.) The thing that worries me is how much the foam conforms to the body contours–I’d be concerned that if a baby rolled over on its tummy or even maybe too far over sideways, that it’s head (the heaviest part of the body) would sink in and the foam would conform to the face and the baby wouldn’t yet have the head and neck and body strength to get itself out of that position. So I would think that it would be a suffocation risk. Heck, I find it hard to roll around on those things sometimes in the mattress store, because you sink in so much and it’s so squishy.

Children’s Health Envrionmental Coalition provides these tips to making your bedroom or your child’s bedroom a safer and more comfortable environment.

Allow a new mattress to offgas before you sleep on it.
Unwrap the mattress from plastic and lean it against a wall in a well-ventilated room for a few days before sleeping on it.

Say no to water and stain repellents
Some water and stain repellents, such as DuPont’s Teflon, are under investigation for possible health and environmental effects. The chemical used is found in humans and persists in the environment for a long time.

A flame retardant pad for babies and young children, it helps prevent leakage and protect the mattress against bed wetting. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and serves as a better alternative to plastic sheets.

Features and Benefits

* Breathable and naturally flame retardant
* Natura Cry Less wool is uniquely woven to prevent leaks
* Discourages mold and mildew growth on mattress
* Can be machine washed, air dry
* Great alternative to noisy, clammy plastic pads
* Available in 3 sizes-Travel, Crib, Twin, Full, Queen

Via Eco-Furniture

Check out these cool “all wool” mattresses that could help you. They are pure, natural and have the following features which makes my brain hungry… I wonder if it’s “really” flame resistant…

• Wool bedding provides the optimal micro-climate by harmonizing with your body’s temperature and humidity changes.
• Wool is mildew and dust-mite resistant.
• Wool fibers are naturally more resilient and springy than other natural fibers.
• Wool is flame resistant and doesn’t require additional flame retardants.

via treehugger

Crib mattresses have been basically categorized into two distinctions of coil vs. foil, until recently. With an increased awareness in the dangers of mattresses and its links to a number of infant deaths, construction of this has been reevaluated to conform to certain standards. Enter the new generation of fire-proof mattresses. It looks to be a solution to the problem, being the “safer choice”. But chemically processed fire-proof mattresses may in fact be more harmful to your children.

Hospitality Bed™ introduces a heavy duty, multi-purpose Contract Rollaway Bed with the flame retardant, anti-fungal, water repelling Prottex™ mattress. In announcing this innovative and utilitarian new mattress, Hospitality Bed is responding to a broad demand for a moisture repelling mattress that is comfortable, durable and practical.

The Prottex™ mattress has the following specifications:

Ahh! With the increasing awareness regarding mattress safety these days, this is perhaps what you should have in your household:

You can sleep peacefully at night on this mattress protector that combines the softness and comfort of cotton with flame resistant protection. The flame retardant treatment is permanent and won’t wash out, and meets established national and international fire protection standards. Its zippered, fitted construction encases the entire mattress, keeping it clean and protecting it completely. Fits mattresses up to 16″ deep. 100% cotton. 200 thread count. Machine wash. Imported.

This item is available to purchase at Bed Bath & Beyond