Safety overtakes comfort?

In a recent extremely comprehensive report focused on the bedding industry, I found a startling discussion topic in the analysis. It stated that some manufacturers, due to new flammability standards, are now looking beyond comfort and luxury when designing new products and producing older lines that are now up the new standard. This is more than a bit troubling to me as I know that a mattress can be comfortable as well as compliant – it just takes time, quality and craftsmanship.

Mattresses and sleep systems are not like those found 50 years ago; today’s models are engineering masterpieces in some cases. Every square inch is inspected, every piece, component and material serves a purpose, or at least they should. This is not to say that comfort takes precedence over safety, but rather, these two requirements can and should work in concert with one another.

As a manufacturer of adjustable beds, I am faced with even more engineering possibilities to consider that most traditional mattress manufacturers do not. I deal with power sources, speed and angle of movement, actuators and flex just to name a few, all in addition to the variables that go into crafting a quality mattress.

Even though there is always a mattress sale, the purchase of a quality sleep system is an investment – an investment in a good night’s sleep. I hope that the comments made that flammability compliance trumps comfort were made by a minority and not the majority as they reflect all that is wrong with this industry. Would you buy a car that meets all the governmental guidelines for safety, but doesn’t have a radio, air conditioning, heat, door locks or a trunk – and it costs the same as a model with all of these? Neither would I.

Rest assured that my company did not make these remarks, and more importantly, I am positive that you can get a comfortable night’s rest on an adjustable bed...and it meets all flammability standards.