An inventor has devised a machine that can remove dust mites feces, as seen in the video below. His credentials? He is supposedly the inventor of the flexible straw and the moon boots. His device? It works effectively. I cannot believe the amount of feces dust mites leave on one’s bed. As the guy in this video says: Disgusting!

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — An owner of “The Mattress Guys” is serving five days of shock jail time for failing to remove an advertising banner from outside of his business. It reads only: “Mattresses Mattresses Mattresses.”

Dennis McDonald, an owner of the mattress business, had been issued nine summonses since May 5, 2006, because the sign violates the southeast Missouri city’s sign ordinance. Cape Girardeau ordinance prohibits all business-owned banner signs strung between fixed posts. McDonald claims his sign should be allowed, because it was there long before the ordinance was passed.He was found guilty of three sign violations in April. He was given probation, but was supposed to remove the sign and pay all court costs.

Cape Girardeau city prosecutor Reagan Holliday said McDonald neglected to do either. Holliday said she also paid visits to local businesses in 2006 to educate them about the sign ordinance before taking any legal action.

“We tried to give him as many warnings as we could,” she said. McDonald was given another chance Friday by Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp, acting in place of a municipal judge who had a conflict of interest in the matter. McDonald refused to comply and was sent to jail Monday. “If he had just been willing to take the sign down, I never would have recommended jail. When he refuses to comply, everyone else thinks they don’t have to comply,” Holliday said.

via My Fox St. Louis

Mattress manufacturers understand the importance of the new standards set by CPSC. It’s all about keeping homes safe. Majority of them agree with complying to the new guidelines. Although there are still some, retailers especially, who need to be provided with more information, so that they can really see how this new standard will benefit everyone.

Bedding veteran Randy Bancroft, who oversees the factory, has spent hundreds of hours getting ready for the new federal mattress flammability standard, which takes effect July 1. He admitted that he went into the process with thousands of questions. With the help of the Lilly Management Group’s FR program, he believes he has become thoroughly knowledgeable about the new FR standard. “On a scale of one to 10,” Bancroft said, “the new FR standard is a 7.5. It is doable. But it will change the culture of the mattress factory.”

Susan Ebaugh, managing partner of Lilly Management Group, said the standard will produce a “survival of the fittest” scenario. “Those mattress manufacturers who can meet the requirements of the regulation on a consistent basis will effectively manage this change and move forward,” she said. The standard doesn’t just affect producers; retailers must also comply with new rules. They must sell mattresses and foundations that are meant to be sold together. If they don’t, they can face fines.

Producers say that some retailers are ready for the new standard and some aren’t. At the Restonic factory in Fayetteville, Bancroft said some retailers “don’t think the standard applies to them.” More education is needed, he said. David Gillmore, owner of Restonic dealer Horne’s Furniture &; Appliances of Stedman, N.C., was visiting the Restonic factory during a recent open house. Gillmore, whose store is about 20 miles from the Restonic factory, said the new FR standard “is a good thing.”

“The CPSC wants manufacturers to follow the law, but that’s not enough,” he said. “The CPSC wants retailers to properly display, sell and deliver products, and they want the consumer to understand how to read a law tag so the consumer knows he or she is receiving a compliant product.”

via Furniture Today
Photo from Restonic

This is a press release from the CPSC or the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Mattresses manufactured in or imported into the United States on or after July 1, 2007 must meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) flammability standard. The mandatory standard is designed to reduce the severity of mattress fires ignited by open flame sources such as candles, matches and lighters.CPSC estimates that, once fully effective, the new federal flammability standard will prevent as many as 270 deaths and 1,330 injuries every year.

CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord calls the new standard an important layer of fire protection in the home.

“The new federal flammability standard limits the spread and intensity of a mattress fire,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “That will give consumers valuable time to escape their homes if there’s a fire and it will save lives.”

The mandatory mattress rule, known as 16 CFR Part 1633, is a performance standard that limits the heat release in a mattress fire.

When shopping for a new mattress or mattress set, consumers should look for a label on the mattress stating that it meets the federal flammability requirement, and whether it is intended to be sold alone or with a specific foundation, such as a box spring.

Although this is an added layer of protection, consumers still need to keep in mind that increased fire resistance does not mean there is no fire risk. CPSC urges consumers to follow these important fire safety tips:

Never smoke in bed.

Do not allow kids to play with candles, lighters, matches or smoking materials.

Do not fall asleep while a candle is burning.

Extinguish candles before leaving the room.

Have working smoke alarms on each level of the home and inside every bedroom.

In case of fire, call 911 from a safe location.

The federal open flame standard does not address ignition from cigarettes because that protection is already required. A mandatory federal standard on cigarette ignition of mattresses, 16 CFR Part 1632, has been in place for more than 30 years.

CPSC’s free publication, “Sleep Safer: A Fire Resistant Mattress Can Save Your Life” (CPSC-560), offers consumers lifesaving information on the new federal open flame standard and fire safety tips. It is available in English and Spanish and can be ordered by sending an email request to info@cpsc.gov or by contacting CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772.

Having a bed partner can cause some sleeping problems, as statistics have shown. Your spouse or partner may have different needs as yours when it comes to sleeping and that need may include the kind of mattress you have in your bedroom. No wonder Mama Bear & Papa Bear from Goldilocks have separate sleeping arrangements. He likes his mattress firm, while she likes it soft, right?

Here are some suggestions from FemLive on literally, sleeping together:

In order to increase the chances of a better night sleep, the new couple should pick out the mattress together instead of one person bringing a mattress into the marriage. Energetically, it is better for a lasting relationship when only the current couple has used a mattress. It’s kind of like starting fresh with a new partnership. When the couple shops together for the new mattress set, there is a better chance they will find one that fits both their needs.

Do the rest-test in the store, as most retailers will not let you take a mattress home and then return it. Most stores have return policies against returning a mattress due to hygienic reasons. Purchasing a new mattress is confusing because it is difficult to compare one mattress to another. Famous names will be on all different types and models of mattresses.

Support is critical to keeping the spine in good standing posture.

Make sure the comfort level is such where you feel you can be close to each other without bothering one another.

Keep turning the mattress, and vacuum it off occasionally. You may want to rotate your mattress from end-to-end and from top-to-bottom. If you are concerned about dust mites, you may even want to encase it in plastic. Allergy free mattress casings are available in stores and online. Ask yourself in a few years if it is still supportive and comfortable to you. If not, you might want to opt for a new set. A good quality, washable mattress pad and one for the foundation, too, if you like is important to keep your set fresh and free from stains.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to remove the tag, but the information on the label will serve as a means of identification should you have a warranty claim.

If you detect a slight new product odor, leave the mattress and foundation uncovered and well ventilated for a few hours.

Buy the right size. If you need space to sleep as we all do, opt for at least a queen size bed. King-size mattresses are clumsy and it will take up more space in a master bedroom, but you might require more room, especially if you and your mate are tall or heavyset. California King box springs come in two sections for easy moving.

Buy a matching sleep set. These sets are made for each other just like the marriage, and you will not get the wear from the mattress if it is not matched up to the box spring.

Buy the best mattress you can afford. Now is not the time to skimp on a purchase because a cheap mattress will not be comfortable at all. It won’t take you long in the rest test to tell the comfortable mattresses from the ones that feel like cardboard. Take your time in the store. This is the best chance you will have to test the mattress for comfort.