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Half of Infant Cot Mattresses Fail to Comply with Safety Standard – Poor Firmness in 3 Models Poses a Suffocation Hazard

  • 2019.03.14

An infant sleeps 15 hours or more a day, so obviously, it is essential whether a cot mattress is compliant with safety standards, with good comfort and body support.  A Consumer Council test report on 8 models of cot mattresses found that half of the tested models did not comply with the European Safety Standard.  Most concerning was the failure of 3 of the models to pass the tests on firmness and durability, which could result in suffocation if infants roll over onto their face while sleeping.  Their performance in both moisture and air permeability was equally poor, which could cause discomfort because of heat and dampness.  Manufacturers are urged to improve their mattress design to ensure conformity with the various requirements of the safety standard to minimise the risk of accidents.

Included in the test, carried out jointly with the International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT), were 2 groups of a total of 8 models, comprising 3 spring mattresses and 5 foam mattresses, ranging in price from $450 to $1,398.  The models were rated for safety, body support, comfort, durability and convenience of use.  The best performers, in both the spring and foam categories, were also the cheapest models (a $790 spring mattress and a $450 foam mattress).  Both received an overall rating of 4.5 points.  By contrast, the most expensive models (a $990 spring mattress and a $1,398 foam mattress) were rated only 2 and 3.5 respectively, showing that price and performance were not directly correlated in the models. 

The models were put through a series of stringent safety tests conducted in accordance with the European Standard (EN 16890).  4 models failed the safety requirements on firmness, construction and durability.  The test used a spherical load simulating the head of an infant on a test template to measure the depth to which it sank and to assess whether the mattress firmness was in compliance with the safety standard.   The findings showed the firmness of 2 models to be inadequate in some positions, which could result in respiratory problems, or even suffocation should infants roll over onto their face, burying themselves into the mattresses.  Parents should therefore be attentive to the sleeping position of infants and not let them sleep on a mattresses with insufficient firmness. 

It is likely that some parts of the mattress may sink after a period of usage, posing a potential risk to the infant.  To assess their durability, the models were subjected to a heavy load of 10,000 cycles each.  The findings showed that 1 more model failed the firmness requirement.  Parents contemplating a second-hand cot mattress should pay attention to its firmness to look for signs of settling or damage.

The models were also examined for accuracy between their claimed and measured dimensions in the safety test.  In 1 model, there was a discrepancy of more than 10mm in dimensions, exceeding the upper limit of the safety standard.  If the gap between the cot frame and mattress is too wide, there is a danger of trapping the infant’s limbs, fingers, toes or head.  The tests also simulated children pulling off labels or decals from the mattress; on 2 models, the decals could be detached or loosened after 30 pulls.  The risk is that if they accidentally cover both the mouth and the nose of the child, it could possibly result in suffocation. 

Consumers may generally think the foam models provide less body support than the spring models.  But the tests found little difference between the 2 mattress groups in body support.  Except 1 foam mattress had a 3-point rating; the remaining 7 models were all rated between 3.5 and 4 points. 

If the moisture and air permeability of the mattress is poor, it could cause discomfort, affecting an infant’s sleep quality.  The tests showed all the models to be less than satisfactory in this parameter, ranging in rating from 1 to 3.5 points out of 5.  Overall, the foam mattress models did worse than the spring mattress models.

Excrement, vomit and perspiration may soil the cover or inner layer of the mattress, resulting in mould and odours.  A mattress with a cover that can be removed and washed will help maintain hygiene.  In the test on convenience of use, 5 models without a removable cover scored only 1 point, while only 3 of the 8 models had removable, washable covers and were rated with 5 full points.

In the choice and use of infant cot mattress, consumers should take heed of the following:

- Choose a mattress that fits the cot with no gaps along the side or end more than 3cm wide to prevent the infant’s limbs, fingers, toes and even head from getting trapped, which could result in an injury;

- The mattress should not be too soft, otherwise the infants can turn over onto their face, affecting their breath and creating risk of suffocation;

- Never leave soft clothing or bedding items in the cot, as there is a chance they could cover the mouth and nose of the child, possibly causing suffocation;

- If the mattress cover cannot be removed, cover it with a mattress protector, which can be washed and replaced regularly to ensure good hygiene;

- Parents should pay attention to the sleeping condition of infants, and change their position immediately if they roll over or are covered by bedding items.

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