Clothing Burns

Clothing can burn relatively quickly when it comes into contact with an ignition source. It covers a large area of the body, so if it ignites and burns, severe injuries usually result. Clothing burns can often be fatal because of their severity.

Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to severe burns. They often do not recognize the danger; and if their clothing catches fire they are less able to defend themselves.

Flammability regulations for textile products, passed under the Hazardous Products Act in the early 1970s, removed the most hazardously flammable fabrics from the market. During the 1970s and 1980s, children's sleepwear was identified in a significant number of fire deaths and injuries. Regulations on the flammability of children's sleepwear up to size 14X were strengthened in 1987. Sleepwear should be made of nylon or polyester. Cotton and cotton-blend fabrics will catch fire and burn more quickly than most synthetics. Since the regulations were strengthened, no deaths have been reported.

Ordinary, everyday articles of clothing of normal flammability are usually involved in burn injuries. For children, playing with matches, lighters or stoves is the main cause of clothing burns. Women's clothing most often ignites in the course of routine daily activities such as cooking. For youths and men, mishandling of flammable liquids plays a key role.

The fabric of which a garment is made determines how easily it will ignite, the rate at which the flame will spread and how easy it will be to extinguish the flame. Texile fibres vary widely in their burning characteristics:
1. Fibres that ignite easily, burn rapidly and are difficult to extinguish include cotton, linen, rayon, cellulose acetate and acrylics.
2. Fibres which are difficult to ignite, burn slowly and tend to melt include nylon, polyester, polypropylene and spandex.
3. Fibres which will not continue to burn once the ignition source is removed include modacrylics (e.g. Verel, Dynel), Saran and Cordelan.
4. Fibres which are difficult to ignite and tend to self-extinguish include wool and silk.

The design of the garment will also affect its flammability. Loose, flowing garments with wide sleeves, skirts or ruffles can contact ignitions sources more readily and will burn more rapidly once ignited. Close-fitting garments with cuffs and fitted waists are less likely to contact ignition sources and will burn more slowly. Folds or creases will accelerate the flames, while belts slow the spread of flame.

Choosing fibres and styles that retard burning is an effective way to reduce clothing-related burn injuries, especially in vulnerable age groups. Pants and polo pyjamas, for example, present a lower fire hazard than dresses and nightgowns.

Basic fire safety precautions will prevent clothing from igniting in the first place. Keep matches and lighters away from children, don't let them play around stoves and heating appliances, and be careful when using flammable liquids or household cooking appliances. If clothing catches fire, the best advice is to "stop, drop and roll."

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