| MadSci Network: Engineering |
Dear Bhav, The simple answer is to try to reduce the risk of deaths and injuries. Three things to condsider. 1) many people (though fewer every year, thank goodness) smoke, and some of them smoke in bed. 2) many people use candles or other other sources of flame near their beds and/or have eletrical outlets/lighting, etc. near their beds. 3) many houses burn every year. Since people sleep in their beds, they are at greater risk of failing to notice the start of a fire. Bedding, with its layers of cloth and pading, is great potential fuel and is in direct contact with skin. Having flame retardent bedding greatly improves the chance of escape and reduces the risk of death or injury. Hope this answers your question. Paul Odgren University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts
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