Port Customs Agents Seize 200 Flammable Mattresses

Customs officers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex have seized 200 flammable cotton mattresses imported from China, authorities said Thursday.

The mattresses were tested, and were found to be in violation of the Flammable Fabrics Act, which requires a standard of fire resistance that limits the spread and intensity of a mattress fire, according to Lee Harty of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

``This gives consumers valuable time of approximately 30 minutes to escape if there is a fire,'' Harty said.``CBP enforces more than 400 laws and regulations of 40 different agencies. This is one example of protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury, death or property damage.''

Mattresses manufactured on or after July 1, 2007 must meet federal flammability requirement ``16 CFR 1633,'' and must have an attached label that states this compliance, along with identifying information about the manufacturer and the importer.

--City News Service