TIPS FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS ON BEDDING AND DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Furniture World Magazine

Ahh, it's time for the seasonal change that most everyone looks forward to: turning back the clocks and gaining an extra hour of sleep. But, if the Fall switch from Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, October 26th, doesn't leave your customers feeling extra-rested, the problem may be as close as their mattress. If they're like most people, they may overlook the most obvious sleep-stealing culprit until the signs of mattress wear and tear are unmistakable. Suggest that they get into the habit of regularly evaluating their mattress to avoid problems before they have trouble sleeping. The Better Sleep Council recommends that they check their mattress twice a year, when the clocks change, to make sure their sleep set still provides the comfort and support they need. "By learning how to evaluate their mattress and replacing it when they need to, they are taking steps to ensure they will wake up well-rested every morning," says Andrea Herman, Director of the Better Sleep Council. "And a good night's sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle." Set the Clock, Check Their Sleep: Remind them to evaluate their mattress when they set their clocks back an hour on Sunday, October 26th. Unless they check the condition of their mattress regularly, they may miss signs that it's past its prime. How often your customers will need to replace their mattress varies. The quality of their mattress is just one contributing factor. The other factors that determine whether their mattress is still doing its job are as individual as they are, including: their life stage and lifestyle, changes in their body, and changes in their comfort preference. "It's impossible to make one generalization apply to all mattresses and all people all the time," says Herman. "That's why it's important that consumers check their mattress at least twice a year." To evaluate the condition of their mattress, consumers should ask these questions: Are they sleeping better or worse than they did a year ago? Do they wake up feeling stiff or sore? . Does their mattress have visible signs of wear and tear? Would a new mattress improve their sleep? If they answer "yes" to one or more of the above questions, it may be time for a new mattress. Should they decide to start shopping for a new mattress, Herman offers some suggestions: "They shouldn't feel uneasy about lying down on several mattresses in the store. That's the only way they will be able to feel the difference between a new mattress and the one they have at home. They should buy the one that feels the most comfortable and offers the best support. And they should always buy a matching set- mattresses and foundations are designed to work together." Time To Check Their Home: Timing certain tasks to coincide with the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time is a good idea. You might remind your customers to: Check smoke detectors: Check heating system: Check closets: Are winter wardrobes clean and repaired? (Tips from Better Sleep Council spokesperson and home management consultant, Deniece Schofield, author of "Confessions of an Organized Homemaker. ") This Fall, your customers will be ready for the full benefits of the time change if they... close the curtains, shut out the noise and cozy under the covers for a blissful 60 minutes worth of extra ZZZZ's - on a comfortable and supportive mattress. The Better Sleep Council, a non-profit organization supported by the mattress industry, is devoted to educating the public about the importance of sleep to good health and quality of life, and about the value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night's sleep. Free publication available: The Better Sleep Council publishes the Better Sleep Guide, a 16 page color brochure about the connection between sleep and health, how to assess the condition of a mattress, and guidelines for shopping for a new sleep set. The brochure is available by sending your request to: Guide, P. O. Box 19534, Alexandria, VA 22320-0534; in Canada: Guide, Downsview CSC, P.O. Box 430, Downsview, Ontario, M3M3A8.