Flammability guidelines?

[Former_Member]

I was searching for information on flammability guidelines for children's sleepwear and came across some concerning old court cases. According to these rulings, you can be held liable for damages even if you are in compliance with industry standards, because a whole industry can be held as negligent! That is kind of scary to me...it seems like it makes it impossible to protect yourself (unless you incorporate). Anyone have any thoughts or experience on how to deal with this?

I'd be happy to look at an old post, I'm just not quite sure how to search for it:)

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

There is really no protection from law suits. It's like the choking guidelines. Even if a 10 year old sticks a button in their mouth and chokes, you can be sure that their parents and their bottom feeder lawyers will sue you for something. One would think a 10 year old would know better, but not so.

When a diner sticks a 2x2x2" hunk of meat in their mouth, chews it twice and then tries to swallow, and passes out on the floor, guess who will be responsible? The waiter, the chef, the rest. manager, and rest. owner, probably the meat supplier, and the farm that raised the beef. the only thing they can't sue is the steer.

Become an LLC, it helps, but not all the way. And know the laws and regulations covering your product, follow the laws, and stay away from products that are recalled. That's why I'd never make sleepwear for kids. Nor loungewear. Contrary to public opinion the CPSC has determined it is in fact a sleepwear catagory.

[Former_Member]

So would cotton slips count as loungewear? They're not intended as that, but I know that's what I wore to bed frequently when I was little.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I would think that if you advertised it as a slip/undergarment and stated not for sleepwear. you would be safe, well safer. Fabric will burn, it just will. and there is really nothing you can do about it. If you are folllowing the flamibility guidelines, and all the other regulations governing your products, you are doing what you can. I personnally refuse to live in fear of being sued over what might happen.

I can't control what children will do, nor can I control what parents will do. Some parents have candles burning all over their house, with their children running all around. Some don't teach their children not to touch the stove, and not play underfoot when mom is cooking. Some walk off and leave their children in the tub while they answer their phone. And the list goes on.

I watched a program once on home hazards, and an 8 yr old boy wrapped the cord from the blinds around his neck and choked himself while his mother was in the other room, and his little siblings he was supposed to be watching. were sitting in front of the TV. What happened? Blinds are now illegal! How about teaching our kids not to be stupid, and hooking the blind cord out of reach?

[Former_Member]

AMEN! The accidents are tragic, but you can't protect your kids (or yourself) from everything, can you? I figure as a mother, it's my job, to the best of my ability, to 1. protect my kids and 2. teach them to have as much common sense as they can reasonably have at their age. And then pray. Constantly.

Thank you for the perspective.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Corinne, Agreed!