Fire trucks and Ambulances, Used Mattresses, Child safety seats: 5/24/04

Q: I've noticed that a fire truck seems to accompany every ambulance. Why is this?

A: We got your answer from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services. It says that a fire truck and ambulance are both dispatched to provide faster service. In most cases, a fire truck will reach the scene first, because fire trucks usually come directly from a fire station. Ambulances, however, are likely to be coming from the hospital or another call, and it may take them longer to arrive. All D.C. firefighters are trained emergency medical technicians, and the fire truck stays on the scene until the ambulance arrives.

Q: I recently bought a new mattress. What happens to old mattress when the delivery company takes them away?

A: We got this answer from several sources, including the District, Maryland and Virginia. Turns out that when a company picks up your mattress, it can either trash it, or in some states, sell it as a used mattress. The District, Maryland and Virginia allow for mattress resale. Federal law requires used mattresses be labeled second-hand. The International Sleep Product Association says it's pushing for a federal law that would create a nationwide mattress re-sale standard.

Q: I'm currently using a car seat dated 1999 and heard that child safety seats should only be used for five years. Is this the case?

A: We checked with the National Safekids Organization to get your answer. It says the Juvenile Manufacturing Association recommends safety seats not be used for more than six years. This is because safety standards change. For example, there have been three sets of safety changes made to child seats since your seat was made in 1999.

Safekids says to be sure you're using a safe seat, contact the manufacturer and ask what its guidelines are. The company's phone number and date of manufacture are printed on the seat's tag.