October, 1997 

The Honorable Thomas H. Moore, Commissioner
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

Dear Commissioner Moore: 

I have just recently learned of the CPSC's decision to relax the flammability standards for 
children's sleepwear. America's children have been protected from the risk of fire from 
their sleepwear for nearly twenty-five years. The decision by the Commission may put 
infants and children at a higher risk from burns. 

Available injury and death data demonstrates that the sleepwear standard was working. 
There have been few injuries or deaths involving ignition of children's sleepwear since 
the enactment of the standard nearly twenty-five years ago. This low level of injuries and 
deaths can primarily be attributed to the established sleepwear standards. 

It is the Commission's responsibility under the flammable Fabrics Act to protect the 
public against unreasonable risk of fire leading to death, injury or significant property 
damage. The Commission's decision to relax the sleepwear flammability standards now 
places infants and children at potentially higher risk for burn injury. 

The CPSC had assured concerned individuals that there would be an extensive awareness 
and educational campaign developed and disseminated for consumers and sales personnel 
regarding the changes and the risk of non-flame resistant sleepwear. This lack of 
consumer education, as promised by the manufacturers apparel industry, makes it 
difficult for consumers to obtain accurate information about safe sleepwear choices. This 
may result in consumers making uniformed decisions which could jeopardize the well-
being of their children. As a regulatory agency, the CPSC has the responsibility to 
provide clear, concise, accurate information to consumers. The initial requirement for 
clear and conspicuous warning labeling of non-flame resistant garments has also been 
removed from the amendments making it more difficult for consumers to differentiate 
between flame resistant and non-flame resistant garments at the point of sale. 

As a member of the health care profession (burn team, fire service, other) who must deal 
with the pain, suffering and cost of burn injuries on a daily basis, I urge you to please 
reconsider this matter and take steps to bring back the previous standards that were 
clearly working to prevent death and disfigurement for numerous young children. There 
is no need to change what is working. 

Sincerely yours,