Manufacturers warned over flammable kids sleepwear

Tag : children's pajama

The report confirms the test results led to four voluntary recalls,where manufacturers pulled the products from store shelves."Additionally, several information letters and warning letters weredistributed."
The report calls for further monitoring of these products todetermine the "effectiveness of the enforcement action taken by theinspector." In cases where it "has been ignored or disregarded,escalated enforcement activities should be considered," states thereport.
In addition to its regularly scheduled testing of children'ssleepwear for 2006-07, Health Canada also tested 14 samples on anad hoc basis. The agency found six of 14 pyjamas failed theflammability test.
Four of these six products were recalled, resulting in 6,709 itemsbeing yanked from the marketplace.
Health Canada said Tuesday it needed more time to respond torepeated requests for an interview made over four days on theresults and enforcement action. In a written statement, the agencysaid it was encouraged by the results and that all non-compliantproducts were removed from sale and "problems were corrected forall future products."
In the statement, Health Canada pointed out flammability compliancerates for bathrobes rose to 82 per cent from 39 per cent over atwo-year period, while compliance rates for pyjama bottomsincreased to 74 per cent from 50 per cent.
Five years ago, Sydney Carlaw of Surrey, B.C. would have beensurprised by the test results and enforcement actions, before thebirth of her first child. But now, the mother of two girls, agesfour and one, is a weary consumer.
"I've become much more skeptical. I do my own research. It's toobad because it seems like the government has allowed products to beallowed through and sold," said Carlaw, who is organizing a "babypurity" conference in Vancouver in the fall for mothers looking forinformation about natural products and safe toys.
Health Canada's most recent enforcement report also found awidespread problem with bathrobe belts.
After a child died in 2004 as a result of becoming entangled in anon-attached bathrobe belt, the agency recommended that any belts,ties or sashes be stitched firmly to the centre back to avoidstrangulation of young children. The report shows manymanufacturers are disregarding this guideline.
The sash or belt was attached to the garment in just over half ofthe children's robe (36 of 67).
Separate tests on the flammability of mattresses, carried out in2007-08, showed a high non-compliance rate. Last year, HealthCanada tested 30 suspicious futons based on their fibre content orconstruction, and found 13 didn't comply.