Cot Mattress: Three Popular Brands Fail Safety Mattress Test

Three leading brand names of cot mattress have failed a firmness test, according to CHOICE. The said mattresses were supposedly designed to reduce the risk of infants suffocating while asleep. The results prompted the consumer group to call the attention of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to review the standard and to make voluntary firmness test mandatory for all cot mattress products.

"We know that mattresses that are too soft are a risk factor that can lead to SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome," Tom Godfrey from Choice said to ABC. "So we think it's really important that this voluntary standard is looked at by the ACCC and the requirements of it made mandatory as part of the review of the Australian Standard later this year." CHOICE tested 12 cot mattress brands, apparently the cot mattress manufactured by Sealy, Love N Care and Childcare were too soft, which could potentially cover an infant's face. Godfrey said the results are concerning--considering the fact that there have been mattress safety tests in placed since 2013.

Nonetheless, Love N Care CEO, Terry Elchek, told Sydney Morning Herald the company didn't agree with the assessment of CHOICE. However, since the firm took the matter seriously, Elcheck said the company had conducted its own safety check and sent back the products to the factory for further testing.

As for Sealy, the manufacturer said the company conducted its own lab test and the result revealed the firm's cot mattress passed the firmness standard. Nevertheless, the company said they will still review the specifications of their cot mattress. Childcare also said to ABC its cot mattress passed all its own lab tests.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from ACCC said the team is currently reviewing the standards. "Stakeholder experience from use in the field will be valuable in determining if assists in identifying problem mattresses and whether it should become a mandatory requirement," the spokesperson added.