Three Popular Baby Cot Mattresses 'fail Firmness Safety Tests' Designed to Reduce the Risk of Suffocation and SIDS

Popular baby cot mattresses have failed mattress firmness safety tests that are designed to reduce the risk of suffocation, according to consumer group Choice. Choice is calling for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to make the 'firmness test' mandatory, claiming thatany sleep surface that is too soft could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The consumer group's testing lab looked at 12 cot mattresses and found products from Childcare, Sealy and Love N Care failed the firmness tests, which have been in place on a voluntary basis since 2013.

Safety requirements for cots regarding height and gaps around the mattress are currently mandatory, but the test method set out for 'sleep surfaces test for firmness' is not. The voluntary mattress firmness test is also only in place for mattresses supplied with the cot, not mattresses sold separately. 'With the mandatory Australian Standard for cots set to be reviewed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission this year, it's time to put our kids' safety first and mandate the "firmness test",' CHOICE's head of media Tom Godfrey said.

The products Choice says failed their firmness test were the $150 Love N Care Organic Aloe Vera Latex Mattress, the $90Childcare Inner Spring Breathable Mattress and the $250Sealy Baby Cot Mattress Dreamy. Love N Care CEO Terry Elchek told Fairfax Media the company took the CHOICE assessment 'very seriously' but did not agree with it. However the company has sent the product for additional testing.

The Childcare Inner Spring manufacturer said its own third-party lab results showed it was up to standard, but it vowed to try to invest in improving its products. Sealy also told Fairfax it had lab testing that showed its mattress had passed the firmness standard, but said it would 'immediately review its cot mattress specifications to address any potential for variation and non-compliance with the standard'. CHOICE advises those who are concerned about a mattress they are currently using to conduct a simple home test that will give a rough indication of the mattress' firmness, found in their guide to buying cot mattresses.

CHOICE has initiated a petition calling on safety regulator ACCC to make the 'firmness test' mandatory. The Australian Standard for cots will be reviewed this year.