Historical Facts

The problem: Flammable clothes were first publicly defined in the 1940's with an epidemic of burns to children caused by the ignition of Gene Autry cowboy suits which were highly flammable.

The problem was soon reinforced by an epidemic of burns in girls wearing highly flammable cotton sweaters, which came to be known as "torch sweaters". 

Wool burns very slowly and is hard to ignite.

Cotton burns "like a torch".

Rayon ignites easily but burns slower than cotton.

Nylon is less flammable but melts and will adhere to the skin.

Silk is much less flammable.

Closely woven fabric is more flame retardant.

Tight fitting clothes are safer to burn than loose fitting.

In the 1950's with the collection of data on burns, sleepwear burns for young children were noted to be a major problem.

The Sleepwear Act was passed in 1953 to regulated  the manufacture and sale of flammable apparel, especially sleepwear.

Combinations of fabrics and flame retardants were required for sleepwear for toddlers. In addition, the sleepwear had to fit snug.

A significant decrease in toddler flame burns was the result.

By 1985 over 85% of all children's sleepwear were made of safer synthetics and less than 15% with the more flammable cotton.

In 1996 the sleepwear standards were loosened and sleepwear could now be sold even though they did not meet the flammability standards. 

In 1999 there was a rash of clothing burns in young children who were large, loose fitting cotton t-shirts for night wear.