Posts filed under 'Safety'
I have never felt like I wanted to spend a lot on a stroller, but in the search for a stroller that would allow my tall husband to push comfortably , I have been led to the Maclaren Techno XT and Techno XLR. Two fantastic strollers that have handles that are adjustable in height. They move wonderfully, are well made, hold resale value should you want to sell it when finished, and they are fab looking!
I also stumbled upon the slick Grand Tour promo from Maclaren and wow!!!! They refer to it as a “crossover” stroller…they also refer to it’s “chassis” and “dashboard.” A real baby vehicle and I can’t help but think of Ralphy in “A Christmas Story”since it also has “this thing that tells time.” When I watch this I do feel like Ralphy probably felt when he laid his eyes on the famous Red Ryder B B gun for the first time. Looks like an amazingly fabulous stroller!
You certainly can tell how these strollers began in the mind of a former aeronautical engineer who became a grandfather and wanted his grandchildren and their parents to have a functional, safe, durable and well designed strollers.
Okay—I am going to go wipe the drool off of my face…
Mama Jen
April 15th, 2009
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
We’ve found another kids cup to love: The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.
Bret Plate, a father of two, was worried about the toxic components of plastics and how they may leach from his kids’ drinking cups and into their beverages. In search of a better alternative, he designedbeverage container of food-grade stainless steel, inside and out. All plastics used on the product are certified or tested free of BPA and pthalates (the company says it pays for independent lab tests to ensure the cups are free of these substances). The interior no-spill valve is made from silicone. Why are there no plastics on this cup, then? As the company says, nobody wants to sip on a steel straw.
The no-spill valve isn’t absolutely leakproof; the company admits that while the valve will prevent major spills, there still will be drips and dribbles when the cup is inverted. I haven’t found a perfectly hermetically sealed sippy cup, so I can live with a few drips. And I appreciate that this one’s easy to put together, and has saved us from those leaks caused by “assembly-mom error.” The removable outer sleeve adds a nice grip-factor for kids, especially if you choose not to use the sleek little handles, and also insulates cold drinks from their little mitts.
The Safe Sippy is easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe. We wash ours the fast, easy and green way: in the recommended solution of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, the same way we wash our other stainless steel containers.
And, well, the cup’s styling is just plain cool. It comes in three great color combinations: stainless steel and orange paired with bright blue, turquoise or hot pink. In fact, it’s so cool, my kids fight over the single Safe Sippy we have. Guess I should finally purge all those plastic cups and stock my shelves with these.
Mama Kate
August 18th, 2008
I love soy candles, and while watching an episode of Oprah that was recorded on my DVR this week, Sandra Bullock was promoting her new line of eco-friendly soy candles called Bessence Candles which are in addition to her Austin, Texas eco-friendly restaurant called Bess Bistro. These candles are have lead-free wicks (why do some candles have lead-containing wicks anyway?) and clean burning soy wax. Check them out…healthy ambiance for the whole family!
There were also amazing tips from Hollywood mom Sophie Uliano who wrote a fabulous book called Gorgeously Green. If you are looking for a nice one-stop reference on how to bring more health to your family and our planet, this is your book!
Mama Jen
April 24th, 2008
The most important skin cream you can use is SUNSCREEN! The sunny time of year is here or approaching, depending where you live, and the Environmental Working Group conducted the first-ever study on the efficacy and safety of sunscreens out on the market.. Those found to be effective and safe might as well be considered samples from the “Fountain of Youth.”
EWG stepped up because, “After 29 years of debate, the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. In August 2007 FDA proposed first-ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules are not yet finalized. In the meantime, companies are free to make claims about product quality.” Scary!
To see how your sunscreen stacks up, which is healthiest and most effective, visit EWG’s Skin Deep. While you’re there, check out any of your products for their safety as well as this handy-dandy parents’ buying guide. Parenthood is so busy that it is wonderful that this site has sussed out the good, bad and the ugly for us! I love this site!
Mama Jen
April 21st, 2008
Two products I have come across look like great ways to dial-up safety measures in your home.
Hot Stop has faucet, shower head, and shower-head/faucet combos to protect your family from scalding hot water. You can turn your water heater to a setting below 120 degrees F, but that isn’t a sure-fire way of knowing how hot your water can get. These products , that were featured on the Today Show will cease the flow of water in the event that it reaches an unsafe temperature. I found a link to a horrible tragedy I heard of in the last two weeks, and surprisingly it occurs more frequently than we think.
Definitely check your water heater’s thermostat, manual, and look into installing these devices in your home. If you are currently building, you can request that safety units be installed “behind the scenes.”
I also received a link recently to this video which shocked me out of my socks! Every parent should see this video— Most kids don’t wake for fire alarms!
They will, however, respond quickly to fire alarms that use the voice of their parent to deliver the warning. I found some of these types of alarms at Amazon and a price comparison at Nextag where you can record the more effective “familiar voice.” Pricey, but safety and piece of mind are invaluable! I am sure after more looking, deals on these items can be found. Just make sure it allows you to record your own voice. For a more formal study on this phenomenon, here is a Pediatric study that was published on the matter as well.
Feel free to leave a comment with your safety tips!
Mama Jen
April 14th, 2008
