to not replace non-fire retardant armchair?

[SillySausage81]

About 4-5 months ago we bought a new armchair. It took ages to find one with in budget that was the right size for the small space and wasn’t grey or beige.

Last week got an email from the retailer saying it’s been recalled due to some elements of it not meeting the requirements for fire retardancy.

They’ve offered me a refund or a replacement, but the replacements they’re offering are all different models and ALL of them are either grey or beige, and most of them are slightly too big. The thought of spending hours trawling for a new one is exhausting.

So my question is, how important is it for soft furnishings to be fire retardant? WIBU to just keep my armchair and turn down any replacements?

YABU: fire retardant is important, get it replaced
YANBU: fire retardant is overrated, don’t bother replacing

Please replace it. We had a house fire when I was a teen and it was such a horrible experience. Ours was caused by a bulb popping when it 'finished', it then caught a desk and my Dad's old stereo which took black smoke throughout the entire house. It was so horrible. Plus, I would think it could invalidate your insurance policy as you've been warned of the danger?

Any piece of antique furniture you buy isn't fire retardant. Neither are your carpets, curtains, cushions, bedlinen etc.

I guess in the past a lot of people smoked indoors so there was a risk of dropping asleep in an armchair with lit pipe or cigarette. But that's less common now so the risk isn't big.

Same with kids nightwear which has to be fire retardant in case a flowing nightie gets caught on the firegrate . But really that piece of legislation sounds like what is it, something out of the past!

Personally I would prefer my furniture not drenched in carcinogens anyway. I wouldn't be returning it.

Fire retardants slow the flame, but make the smoke more toxic apparently (google "anna stec university of Central Lancashire) so its a bit swings and roundabouts imo

I'm guessing this is not the most combustible item in your house, I'd keep it

All I can tell you is what I would do and that's keep the chair

I know the pain of trying to find the perfect item of furniture. It can drive you nuts.

The struggle is real 🤣

you can buy fire retardant spray that you can spray on at home if you want. but it can discolour the fabric.

if no one smokes and no one uses candles in the room with the chair, I'd just keep it.

I reckon if you say they can refund it but that you will dispose of it yourself then they will be happy with that and you can keep it and have the best of both worlds. You defo can't sue them if you do fall asleep with a ciggie in your hand though!

isnt this a really dated regulation from when people used to smoke indoors? and UK is still one of the strictest ones for it.

The treatment has lots of chemicals which are arguably worse risk even banned in some other countries. Here it seems we don’t have the choice to avoid those chemicals.
Keep the chair, imo the risk is low .

Will you be juggling lit tiki torches while sitting in the chair? If no, then I’d think the risk would be an acceptable one.

Electrical items are a more likely source of ignition than cigarettes if you're not a smoker - the original legislation was based on the idea of people dropping a cigarette.