Archive for 2010
Not to alarm you or anything, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 330 deaths and 1,680 injuries occur each year from mattress fires. While this isn’t a staggering figure, it still is quite worrying. After more than eight years of research and study, a federal mattress flammability standard was enacted a couple of years back. The standard was instituted to limit the intensity of a mattress fire, and it is estimated that the new guidelines can eliminate 75 percent of deaths and injuries when a mattress catches fire. Don’t let your guard down completely though, as the increased fire resistance does not fully eliminate the risk of fire.
We take safety measures in almost everything we do on a daily basis. We wear seat-belts, we walk only on sidewalks, we warn our children against talking to strangers, we don’t drink and drive, etc. Some might call it being paranoid, but it is being cautious. Such simple precautions should be adopted in the bed as well. Health and safety should be every body’s top priority. Always remember that a safer mattress cannot reduce injury and risk alone. Follow a few easy safety measures:
- Be careful with candles around your bed.
- Keep cigarettes, lighters and matchsticks away from children.
- Make sure the smoke detectors in your home are functioning properly.
- Avoid smoking in bed as it can be hazardous.
Research indicates that around one-third of deaths from bedroom fires involve either people in or near the bed, another third are those who are elsewhere in the bedroom, while the last third die when the fire “flashes” over from the bedroom to other parts of the home. These flashes occur in less than three minutes and give you barely any time to escape. The new standard has been brought into effect to reduce the growth and intensity of a mattress fire, delay or avoid the flash over which gives you enough time to move to safety.
All the mattresses in the market are needed to comply with these CPSC regulations. Your safety is important, so check the label to make sure that your mattress is compliant.
Sleep safe and sound.
Latex or Memory Foam: What’s right for me?
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
What’s better, memory foam or latex? There’s no simple answer, but we will help you make the right choice by educating you on what these mattresses have to offer.
Buying a mattress is no easy feat and it is essential that you do your research well. While hunting for a mattress, you are sure to come across memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses. These two types happen to be extremely popular and with good reason. Since they both pack plenty of great features, you face a pretty tough dilemma.
Construction & Eco Friendly
Let us start with memory foam mattresses. These have been used in the medical industry for decades. They are made with petroleum based chemicals and this keeps them from being eco-friendly. However, don’t let that put you off as memory foam mattresses offer unmatched blood circulation and pressure relief by responding to the weight and heat of your body. As you can tell, this is what makes them ideal for hospitals and people with medical conditions.
Now we will take latex mattresses into consideration. They are constructed from a natural, renewable source making them truly green. These eco-friendly mattresses also last for an impressive and satisfyingly long time. You will find that latex mattresses come in plenty of blends and synthetic versions as well. It’s recommended to steer clear from these and take the 100% natural latex route.
Comfort & Performance
An important difference between the two is that latex foam mattresses allow you to change positions and get comfortable faster than memory foam mattresses do. Not to knock down memory foam, as you can get comfortable on it quickly too, but latex has a slight edge. Latex also, removes body moisture, and helps you to feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is difficult to get the support and performance of memory foam in any other mattress.
Feel
If you prefer a springy or soft feel then latex is your answer. For those who like to go for something more solid, memory foam will do the job.
Allergies
Being organic, latex is also hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and dust-mite resistant. Those who are prone to allergies can be troubled by memory foam as it is made with petroleum based chemicals.
Price
A latex mattress can run a little expensive and is likely to cost you as much as a high-end memory foam mattress. Memory foam can be easier on the wallet. Prices vary greatly, so look around and don’t be hasty.
To sum it up, latex is an ideal choice if you are an aspiring Green Peace member and memory foam will be perfect if you plan on opening up a hospital! In all seriousness though, latex is a comfortable and luxurious choice that helps you do your bit for the environment and memory foam gives you a night of deep slumber by relieving pressure, possibly at a lower price.
Do the right thing when you need to get rid of your old mattress!
Monday, May 24th, 2010
So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and get yourself a brand new mattress set. There’s a problem though. To bring in the new mattress, you have to throw out the old one. This is a big dilemma that many people face. They have absolutely no clue on how to get rid of the unwanted bed set. That’s why it’s no surprise when mattresses end up in the strangest of places like in the bottom of lakes, by the side of the road, in the classified ads of the newspaper and well, you get the drift and the picture isn’t really pretty.
No… not the guest room!
Sometimes old beds get retired to the “guest room”. I guess that works if you don’t want your mother-in-law staying in your house. Sooner or later it’s just got to go.
No… don’t give it to the kids!
More often than not, mattresses are handed down like family heirlooms. It estimated that nearly 70% of old beds stay in circulation. Remember a golden rule, that if the bed is no longer good enough for you, it’s not good enough for anybody else you love either. You aren’t being wasteful by throwing out an old mattress. In fact, you are doing yourselves and others a favor.
How do you responsibly get rid of your old mattress?
We’ve all seen the old mattress by the side of the road or next to the dumpster. You can make the right choice and recycle your old mattress rather than see it hauled off to the landfill. Many retailers today offer recycling of your old mattress and box spring. Find a responsible retail store that can pick up your old mattress and recycle it. It will save you time and money because they can deliver your new mattress and haul away your old one all in one trip. Usually the service comes at a nominal fee but it’s worth it as you save time and hassle of dealing with disposing of your old mattress, which can be a real pain. So be green and keep the mattress out of the local landfill. Don’t be embarrassed by the condition of your old bed. Just do the right thing. Problem solved. In with the new mattress and out with the old! You feel better and sleep better too, knowing you saved our landfill from another old mattress.
