Consumer Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Consumer Problems - Essay Example It is identified that carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and extreme heat produced during the disaster amplify the dreadfulness of mattress fires. This paper will explore the lethal effects of mattress fires and will also recommend solutions to the issue. Potential issues of mattress fires As per the report released by CPSC representatives, mattress fire causes 700-1000 deaths annually (Mattress and bedding fires). This huge mattress fires related death rates point out the severity of the issue. According to Mullan (2004), national fire loss estimates assert that mattresses and bedding were the major cause to ignite in 19, 400 residential fire cases attended by fire service during 1995-1999. Although many regulations have been initiated to address the issue, none of them could effectively avoid the mattress fires. The regulations could persuade industries to manufacture fire resistant mattresses. However, even the restructured mattresses are not capable of preventing the spread of fire . The issue has turned to be one of the major social concerns in the United States as technology did not develop an effective method to eliminate this problem. Although cigarette smoking in bed is the main cause of mattress fires, type of suits the individuals wearing, the furniture used, and the room setting also add to the rapid spread of the mattress fires. It is important to note that mattress fires spread very quickly in an uncontrollable manner and hence it increases the chances of fatalities and huge economic loss. According to United States Deputy Fire Administrator Chief Charlie Dickinson (as cited in Morales, 2004), mattress fire doubles itself every minute. From the reported mattress fire cases, it is observed that users of mattresses, their family members, and neighbors in nearby apartment units are at risk of mattress fire. It is assumable that the mattress fire victims would probably be asleep and it adds to the severity of the issue. Similarly, kids and aged persons a re easily affected by mattress fires since they lack sufficient physical fitness to leave the disaster spot instantly. Carbon monoxide is the deadly gas released during mattress fire disasters and it would kill individuals before the flames do. Many consumers are of the belief that previous government regulations have completely eliminated mattress fires; however, these regulations could only reduce the risks associated with mattress disasters. Solutions Obviously, it is difficult to stop the mattress fires completely; therefore, it would be better to explore some remedies that would mitigate the dreadfulness of this issue. Firstly, people must get aware of the dreadfulness of mattress fire and the available disaster response techniques. The adult persons must be careful about removing their children and aged parents from bed at the time of disaster. In addition, one must close the doors to stop fire and call the fire service department. It is advisable for the fire service departme nt to provide awareness programs to the public. Likewise, it is not practical to inhibit people from smoking in bed; hence, it is better to place a protective material layer in between sheets and mattress. In the opinion of Hammack (as cited in Sumi and Williams-Leir, 1969), woolen blankets, cotton cloth treated with a commercial launderable fire retardant, and certain types of plastic sheeting are the effective defensive measures to prevent