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Study highlighted fire problem four years ago
AN academic study published four years ago recommended children's pyjamas were made safer across Europe, The Northern Echo has learnt.
The study, by professors at Bolton University, said the effect of UK fire safety regulations, introduced to girls' nightdresses in 1985, had been "minimal".
The study found that the lightweight cotton used in pyjamas was particularly flammable and that the ignition of textiles was a "major concern" in house fires.
It said: "With the harmonisation of the European community, there is an urgent need to develop a common test method for nightwear safety regulations."
The study has been uncovered by The Northern Echo, which is campaigning for children's pyjamas to be made flame resistant across Europe, after a toddler from North Yorkshire was badly scarred when his pyjamas set alight.
Girls nightdresses have to be flame resistant by law, but pyjamas are exempt because they are close fitting, leading to concerns about flame-retardant chemicals in direct contact with skin.
So far, about 1,700 people have signed our petition, including MPs and MEPs.
The academic paper was written in 2003 by Richard Horrocks, Shonali Nazare and Baljinder Kandola at the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation, at Bolton University.
It assessed statistics from all over the world.
One of the authors, Prof Kandola, has now signed the petition.
The study found that 1988 UK legislation, which made it mandatory to use flame-retardant materials in upholstery, had reduced house fires, but that the nightwear regulations had made little difference.
Since 1979, the 50 to 90 clothing fire fatalities every year in the UK have remained constant, despite the 1985 nightwear legislation. The study also reported that only eight per cent of clothing fire fatalities involved adults aged 21 to 65.
The most vulnerable group was the over 65s, followed by those aged 12 to 21, and under- 11s.
The report said: "Adults appear to be more able to deal with fire situations and putting out flames.
"In the case of children, victims panic rather than attempt to put the flames out."
The study concluded: "It is evident from this study that clothing fires is one of the major concerns among dwelling fires and that nightwear is still the most vulnerable garment category.
"Given the apparent lack of influence of present UK nightwear regulations, it is proposed that any test regime for adoption by the EU should be more severe that the present nightwear regulations of 1985.
10:39am Wednesday 2nd May 2007
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