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Spotlight on: AS 1249:2014 Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard

Children’s nightwear and some daywear items pose unique fire safety risks due to their materials and design. AS 1249:2014, Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard, provides a framework for assessing and labelling these garments to help reduce fire hazards. This standard supports safer product development and clearer consumer communication, particularly in environments where children may be exposed to heat sources.  

What is AS 1249:2014?  

AS 1249:2014 specifies requirements for the design, flammability performance, and labelling of children’s nightwear and selected daywear garments. It categorises garments based on fire hazard levels and outlines testing procedures for flame spread, surface burning, and melt/drip behaviour. The standard incorporates amendments up to 2020 and reflects current industry practices and safety insights.  

Who is this standard for?  

AS 1249:2014 outlines requirements for professionals across manufacturing, retail, product design, and consumer safety, including:

  • Manufacturers of children’s clothing  
  • Retailers selling nightwear and related garments  
  • Product designers and textile engineers  
  • Safety officers and compliance professionals  
  • Consumer protection agencies  
  • Online sellers offering children’s garments  

What does AS 1249:2014 cover?  

AS 1249:2014 provides a framework for reducing fire hazards in children’s garments. It includes:  

  • Garment categories: Four categories based on flammability risk and garment type  
  • Fabric testing: Flame spread, surface burning time, and melt/drip behaviour  
  • Design requirements: Restrictions on garment dimensions, trims, fastenings, and splits  
  • Labelling: Mandatory fire hazard labels with specific wording, symbols, and colour standards  
  • Online sales: Requirements for displaying fire hazard information in product listings  
  • Special cases: Infant sleepbags, wearable towels and blankets with sleeves  

Why does this matter?  

Questions can arise around what makes children’s nightwear safe and how consumers can identify compliant garments. AS 1249:2014 could help address these concerns by:  

  • Clarifying garment types that fall under fire safety scrutiny, including some daywear items  
  • Providing consistent labelling so consumers can make informed choices  
  • Reducing ambiguity in garment classification, especially for all-in-one styles and sleepbags  
  • Supporting safer design by discouraging features that increase ignition risk, such as loose trims or flowing styles  
  • Improving online transparency, with clear fire hazard information required in digital listings  

The standard also reflects insights from burn injury data and testing, helping to align garment safety with real-world risks.  

Access AS 1249:2014

AS 1249:2014 is available through the Standards Australia Store and our distribution partners. For personal, domestic, or household use, read-only access is available at no cost in the Reader Room.


Explore more on product safety

For a broader look at how standards help support consumer safety, download our Product safety through standards and regulatory compliance report.

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