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Guide to understanding the Fire Warning Labelling for Children's Nightwear (AS/NZS 1249:2014)
We know you love shopping all the cute clothing and sleep wear for your little ones. You may have already noticed the fire warning labels that are sewn on the neck of various baby sleep wear garments (including baby sleep bags and toddler suits). There's no need to feel alarmed by this. It simply means your favourite brands and clothing manufacturer's are complying with the very important standards set out by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1249:2014 Children’s Nightwear and limited day-wear.
We at Baby Loves Sleep puts safety first and we take our responsibilities in this area very seriously.We prepared the information below to help you understand why there are white and red fire warning labels sewn onto garments and what do they mean.
All nightwear sold in Australia must comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 1249:2014 Children’s Nightwear and limited day-wear, including the labelling specifications that children's nightwear must meet and the tests which must be carried out to determine the fire hazard category.
Fire Warning Labels
There are two types of fire warning labels that are required based on four categories defined in the standards. These categories are based on garment fabric type, design, and results from flammability testing.
What are the 4 Categories (what's included, what's excluded)
Note: Baby sleeping bags and swaddles with arm holes are covered by the product safety standard. Swaddles without arm holes or blankets are excluded from the AS/NZS 1249:2014.
Each category requires either one of two labels:
- (White) Low Fire Hazard label - Categories 1, 2 and 3
- (Red) High Fire Hazard Warning label - Category 4
1. Low Fire Hazard (White)
This applies to all garments in categories 1, 2 and 3.
However all in ones or onesies made from knitted or jersey fabric only need to carry the label from size 3 upwards.
Some sleeping bags carry this label if they have tested to burn slower than high fire danger items, which are generally fabrics made out of merino wool.
2.High Fire Hazard Warning (Red)
Category 4 garments must carry a high fire danger label.
These garments generally contain some form of synthetic fabric or are made from a more flammable natural fabric.
Garments that are made of natural fibres such as organic cotton will automatically fall into Category 4 simply due to the nature of natural fibres compared to synthetic or chemically treated fabrics.
It is important to check the composition of fabrics to ensure you are making an informed decision when purchasing. For instance, you will find products that carry the white fire hazard label have been treated with flame retardant chemicals that are harmful for your baby in order to pass the flammability testing and can therefore carry the white fire hazard label.
Also looser fitting garments that are more likely to drag or hang loosely fall under Category 4 - such as dressing gowns, bath robes and nighties.
BABY LOVES SLEEP Products
As you already know, our products are made only using premium organic cotton and therefore automatically fall under Category 4.
All our product pages where AS/NZS 1249:2014 applies are required to show the required fire warning label online, to give you peace of mind and know that our products comply with the AS/NZS 1249:2014.
Your responsibility for keep your child safe
Be aware that if a child is wearing high fire danger nightwear they should be kept away from a live fire or heater.
But even a ‘low danger’ label doesn’t mean there is no danger. All fibres will burn. Even ‘low fire danger’ can still catch fire if the child is too close to a live fire or heater.
Making sure children stay at least one metre away from an open fire or heater could reduce their risk of injury or death from a fire hazard.
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