AbstractsEconomics

A consumer survey was conducted: (1) to determine opinions of the consumer concerning DOC Standard FF J-71 on the Flammability of Children's Sleepwear, and (2) to determine if the consumer follows instructions on the care labels in sleepwear concerning the type of detergent to be used. The questionnaire consisted of twenty-one items. The first section consisted of five questions concerned with personal data. The second section consisted of sixteen questions concerned with preferences and habits of the consumer with regard to purchasing and laundering children's sleepwear. The population tested consisted of parents of children presently enrolled in one of four preschools: a preschool for children of university students, a university preschool laboratory, a private preschool, and a church preschool. A total of 203 questionnaires were distributed with 120 responses. Both numerical and percentage results are presented. Results of the study show that: (1) consumers are aware that children???s sleepwear is fire-retardant; (2) consumers want fire-retardant sleepwear for their children; (3) consumers want to see other items of children's clothing given a fire-retardant:finish; (4) consumers have not noticed changes in sleepwear with fire-retardant finishes; (5) consumers do not follow care label instructions when laundering fire-retardant sleepwear and care label instructions are not adequate; and (6) most consumers who sew do not purchase fire-retardant yardage.