Carpet Found Beneficial in School and Healthcare Settings

In the last 6 months, the Dalton, GA-based Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) issued two videos in the hopes of educating decision-makers about the benefits of carpet. Distributed in August, a video titled Healthy Patients and Healthy Numbers: The Results of Evidence-Based Design, is part of CRI’s continuing education program. Available as a CD-Rom, the video includes information from well-known designers and authors about how critical the design of a healthcare environment is to patients’ healing. Among the useful information are facts about carpet care and cost efficiency. “Aside from the perspective of safety in helping not only to reduce slips and falls, but the severity of injuries when such an accident does occur, carpet provides a more home-like atmosphere which has proven to reduce stress,” says Werner Braun, president of CRI. “It is also well-documented that carpet provides a filter-like effect which keeps allergens and particles out of the breathing zone until they can be removed by proper vacuum cleaning.” A more recent distribution of videos was sent to members of three education associations. This CD-Rom, Beautiful Spaces for Children: Building High-Performance Schools, promotes similar benefits and how they impact students in the learning environment. Experienced designers, authors, architects, and psychologists weigh in on the effects of design and furnishings on the educational process. “One out of every four spoken words is inaudible in rooms with hard surfaces,” notes Braun. “When you think about the developing mind of a child, you realize the importance of being able to understand every spoken word clearly.Both videos are available for viewing on the CRI website. Underlying and supportive data is offered as well; visit (www.carpet-rug.org).This information was provided by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the national trade association for the carpet and rug industry. Headquartered in Dalton, GA, the association membership is comprised of manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers, representing more than 90 percent of all carpet produced in the U.S. CRI is the source for science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can create a better environment – for living, working, learning, and healing.