The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) announced that it has begun a new campaign to protect consumers from preventable fire and health risks, including the growing bed bug epidemic. ISPA is leading efforts in several key states to enact new and tougher laws that address the spread of bed bugs in used and renovated mattresses.
Florida is one state that has been hit hard with bed bug infestation and a growing mattress renovation problem. As the Florida Legislature convenes this week, it will consider ISPA-supported legislation that offers new tools to combat the spread of bed bugs. The legislation would require renovators of used mattresses to sanitize their products prior to resale. Currently, no such requirement exists in the state.
ISPA and the mattress industry have long supported efforts to combat bed bugs and educate consumers on how they can avoid a bed bug contamination. As bed bugs have remerged as a pest control issue in recent years, the risk that consumers buying used and renovated mattresses will inadvertently bring these creatures into their homes has also increased. Oftentimes, used mattresses are not disposed of properly and are instead sold to unscrupulous mattress renovators who sew a new cover on the old, and frequently filthy used mattress without sanitizing the mattress or disclosing that it is made from used materials.
“Though bed bugs are the most visibly recognizable threat from used mattresses, these beds may contain other hidden risks,” noted ISPA Vice President of Government Relations and Policy, Christopher Hudgins. “In addition to the public health risks of sleeping on a used mattress, too often these mattresses don’t meet federal flammability requirements meaning that renovated mattresses needlessly expose families to fire risks.”
ISPA is also working with legislators in Connecticut, Tennessee, New York and other states to enact tougher safeguards for used mattresses.
Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents over 600 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.
ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership. These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, the ISPAEarth™ Industry Sustainability Initiative, and more.
To learn more, visit www.sleepproducts.org or contact info@sleepproducts.org.