Household Tips

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Can you believe it? If your mom is like mine, she loves creative gifts — especially gifts that include photos of her grandchildren! PhotoWorks and American Greetings have teamed up to provide a full complement of interesting photo-laden gifts. I love this bucket bag!

PhotoWorks new Mother’s Day photo books ($39.95) include floral-themed designs for mother and grandmother that feature the expression “All About Love.” Scrapbook-themed designs feature expressions such as “Mother is the Heart of Our Family” and kid-friendly, polka dot designs feature expressions such as “Behind Every Great Mom are the Kids Who Love Her.” Each photo book design also features a special poem or sentiment on the title page that can be customized with names and dates.

Mother’s Day expressions are also available on 11 new PhotoWorks greeting cards ranging from traditional single-fold cards to tri-fold and poster cards ($2.07 - $3.47 per card). Examples include “Mommy, You’re the Best,” “What is a Grandma?,” “You’re a Wonderful Sister,” “Mother Memories,” “Daughter, You’re Very Special,” and more.

PhotoWorks also features a variety of unique gifts that can be customized with a personalized photo, including:

— Bucket Tote ($89.95) - This elegant, yet sturdy, tote features a zipper closure, multiple interior pockets and a key fob to hold everything from valuables to playtime snacks.
— Clutch/Cosmetic Bag ($49.95) - A microfiber clutch and wristband handle for her night out on the town!
— Wine Box ($29.95) - This maple wood wine box holds a standard-size bottle of wine.
— Personal Journal ($14.95) - Perfect for noting everything from favorite vacation memories to shopping lists.
— Recipe Cards (As low as $.95 per card in bulk) - Help Mom remember her favorite recipes by turning post cards into handy 4 x 6 inch recipe cards, $1.50 individually.
— Perpetual Calendar ($13.46- $14.95) - Keep Mom organized with this customized calendar.

PhotoWorks Mother’s Day photo books and gifts can be purchased online at http://www.photoworks.com; select items are available at more than 200 American Greetings and Carlton Cards stores nationwide.

And after you’re done shopping, check out Martha Stewart’s gift wrapping tips here!

In the market for a new lawn mower or tractor? Go out and pick up the May issue of Consumer Reports! They’ve ranked the top picks (and worst choices.)

Grooming a trophy-worthy yard does not need to be an overwhelming and expensive task,
according to the May issue of Consumer Reports. According to CR, some of the latest mowers and tractors cut time and effort as well as the grass without breaking the bank. And tests of trimmers and blowers show that top-rated models can be $70 or less and make for a trophy yard.

Consumer Reports also tested two robotic mowers. One of them, the LawnBott LB3200 Evolution can pose a serious safety risk and Consumer Reports judged it “Not Acceptable.”

Top-Rated Mowers and Lawn Tractors

The Toro Super Recycler 20092 at $500 has a rust-free aluminum deck and superb side-discharging, while the highly-rated Honda HRR216K3VXA at $580 has a blade-brake clutch that stops only the blade but not the engine when the safety lever is released. For lower-priced models, CR suggests Lawn Boy 10685 at $370 for its handling and ease of use, but the Toro Recycler 20066, named a CR Best Buy, at $350 is better for mulching. All of these Consumer Reports Quick Picks are self-propelled, rear-drive mowers.

For smaller lawns, CR found the self-propelled, gas-powered Cub Cadet 12AE18M with electric starting for $290 or the push Cub Cadet 11A-18MC, a CR Best Buy, for $230 can meet the needs of consumers who are fine with mostly bagging clippings. In the electric mower category, CR recommends the cordless Homelite UT13122 for $300 and the corded Black and Decker MM875 at
$230 for their mowing versatility.

CR also tested lawn tractors. Consumer Reports notes that the John Deere LA115 at $1,650 has easy mode changes and a washout port, and the Craftsman 28828 at $1,650 and 28724 at $1,500 have relatively large yet smooth-cutting decks. All of these models are CR Best Buys.

Consumers that have a flat lawn that presents several obstacles might want to consider a zero-turn radius model. These types of mowers use levers to steer the rear wheels and can lose traction and be hard to control on hills. For those with flatter lawns willing to live with those drawbacks, CR suggests the Toro TimeCutter Z4200 at $2,500 or John Deere Z225 at $2,900 for even mowing or the Toro TimeCutter Z5000 at $2,800 for its relatively wide, 50-inch deck. CR also tested two mowers that provide tight turning but still use the familiar steering wheel. The John Deere X304 at $3,500 is better at mulching. The Cub Cadet i 1042 at $2,700 is good for side-discharging.

Robotic Mowers - Emerging Technology

Robotic mowers promise to save time and effort as they rove within a perimeter wire that sets the mowing boundaries. But Consumer Reports found that one of these robotic machines poses a serious risk to those it would serve.

Consumer Reports tested Friendly Robotics’ $2,000 RoboMower RL1000 and LawnBott’s $2,500 LB3200 Evolution. Both crisscross randomly within their boundaries, reversing direction when they reach the perimeter wire or an obstacle and returning to their charging stations when needed. And both use metal blades. When Consumer Reports testers lifted the 78-pound RoboMower
while mowing, its blades stopped roughly 1 second after its wheels left the ground. But the 25-pound LawnBott’s blade kept spinning until it was lifted beyond roughly 45 degrees. Even after that, its blade took nearly 4 seconds to stop. Either situation could harm an adult or a curious child.

Consumer Reports contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and asked it to investigate the LawnBott LB3200. CR also contacted the U.S. distributor, which said that a downloadable software update stops the blade within 1 second after the mower is lifted beyond about 35 degrees. Consumer Reports believes that even with this update, the LawnBott LB3200 Evolution poses a serious safety risk and has judged it “Not Acceptable.”

For more advice on lawncare, check out this post on lawn care first-aid!

Yes, this is blatantly a regurgitated press release. But really, who doesn’t need one of these? I bought my husband a $200 plus shoe polisher several years ago. Admittedly, it hardly gets used. But this? This sounds promising.

His birthday is coming up.

Does the modern man remind you of someone? Take a look at his father. From the renewed gravitation toward sophisticated spirits like scotch to the fact that gift certificates for old-fashioned barber shaves have topped men’s holiday gift guides across the country, guys are taking a cue from the men who reared them as they revisit all things classic.

What’s old is new again, and as fashion and image become more important in their everyday lives, men are increasingly focused on style and grooming. Case in point: shoes. Sales of higher-end shoes are growing at a faster rate than mid-price brands. And men aren’t just shopping for nicer shoes; they’re seeking ways to take better care of them.

To aid with this task, Kimberly-Clark today announced the arrival of Shine to Go(TM) Shoe Polisher, a nourishing polisher set to revolutionize the shoe care market. Designed to offer today’s busy professional an entirely new, convenient and portable solution never before possible, the proprietary all-in-one Shine to Go system delivers all the benefits of a quality shine — deep luster, water-resistant protection, scuff coverage and real cream polish — in just minutes.

Since 60 percent of adults groom on-the-go, convenience is paramount when it comes to shoe polish. However, quick fixes like shoe wipes and sponges don’t provide a quality shine. No product on the market matches the convenience and performance delivered by Shine to Go. The entire package is smaller than a dollar bill, enabling consumers to shine wherever and whenever they need to so they can look their best.

The result? Shined shoes — just like Dad’s — without all the fuss.

According to a recent survey(1), maintaining a professional appearance down to one’s shoes increases confidence (77%) and assertiveness (60%) and creates the perception of earning a higher salary (71%) within the workplace.

— Thirty-eight percent would shine more often if they had a more convenient method.
— Three-fifths (59 percent) of professionals shine their shoes at least once a month.
— However, one-quarter of professionals never shine their shoes because traditional home-polishing is inconvenient, time-consuming and messy, and polish often ends up where it’s not wanted.

You might be like me. I’ve already dumped my resolutions. Didn’t succeed so well at those. But then I got to thinking… Why can we only turn over a new leaf once a year? Here’s a great list of things we can all do — daily! — to be better people!

– Do a clean sweep. Take a weekend to get rid of things from your office or your home that you don’t use anymore. Break away from clutter by letting go of unnecessary things once and for all.
– Choose one thing to boost your health and well-being. Instead of the usual weight-loss goal, start with one new healthy habit and focus on that until it really becomes a habit. Then add another. For instance, drink six to eight glasses of water a day, add 20 minutes of walking or add five fruits and vegetables to your diet daily.
– Name a theme for your year. Give your year a clear focus and an intention. The “Year of The New Career,” “The Year of the Diva,” “The Year of Getting Fit” and “The Year of a Positive Attitude” are some examples.
– Do one thing a day towards your dream. Make a commitment to do one thing daily, no matter how small, to move ahead a dream or project.
– Give back. Raise money or volunteer your time to improve your community or the condition of people who are in need of help. You’ll be surprised how good helping others will make you feel, and motivate you to do good in your own life.
– Recruit a cheering squad. Make sure you have good supporters in your life to help you stay motivated to make your change. Teach the naysayers how to be more helpful and call on your cheering squad whenever you need them.

Someone recently wrote (while I was being a very bad and very absent blogger)…asking how to easily put a duvet on a comforter.

HA!

I truly believe that a whole industry has grown around making duvets the most incredibly complex household items possible! But there is hope. For one, choose a better duvet! Several companies now make duvets with hand slits at the corners. That way you don’t have to actually crawl into the duvet with your comforter! If your duvet doesn’t have hand-slits, you can easily make some!

Find a seam ripper (you can buy one for $1 at any store that sells sewing supplies!) Now, very carefully remove the stitching on the edges a right angles with the nose seam. (By nose seam, I mean the top of your duvet! The seam that would touch your nose while you sleep.) Carefully remove about 6 inches of stitching. If you sew, you can now apply bias tape and re-edge the seam. Otherwise, simply iron it in place. If you’re afraid of the fabric fraying, you can apply a small amount of fray check along the unfinished seam.

OR… You can simply go with the old standard method. Grab one corner of the comforter. Insert that corner into a nose corner (see above) of the comforter. Hold the joined corners in one hand. Take the opposite corner and insert into the opposite nose corner. You should now be holding both nose corners — duvet and comforter. Shake the duvet down over the comforter and button.

Good luck. I hate this chore!

Are you resolving to get in shape? (Me too!) Lady Foot Locker has published some great info on buying the right shoes for the job!

An important part of getting the most out of your new workout is selecting the proper footwear for your activity. “Each activity has its own must-have components in an athletic shoe, and you should make sure that you use the right shoe for the right function,” says Lauren Bristow, VP of Brand Marketing for Lady Foot Locker.

– Running shoes come in many forms, and most companies will offer both soft and stable options.

– If you are a beginner, choose a shoe that provides greater stability than cushioning. The Nike Shox Turbo and the Nike Pegasus incorporate the Nike Plus technology that will allow you to program a soundtrack for your run, which may help to keep you on track when beginning a new routine.

– Asics offers a variety of options for the seasoned runner, such as the Asics 2130, which is lightweight, and provides additional support and stability.

– Walking shoes, like the Sportwalker 4000 by Ryka, are designed for low impact activity. They should have good shock absorption in the heels and in the balls of the feet. They tend to be more supportive than running shoes.

– Cross trainers are great all purpose shoes. The Nike Shox Electro is perfect if you just joined a gym, or are trying out different fitness classes. Cross trainers are designed specifically to support a wide range of motion. Bristow adds, “Fit and quality are two critical factors to consider when selecting any athletic shoe.”

To ensure that you get the proper fit, have a store associate measure your foot before recommending a shoe for your specific activity. You don’t break in athletic shoes, if it doesn’t feel good in the store, it doesn’t fit. Try on two-three different brands, and of those, one should feel absolutely great. This is your shoe. You should expect to spend at least $65 or more for a decent shoe, and don’t forget the importance of athletic socks and insoles as well.

It’s not too early to start your New Year’s resolution, and if you’re resolving to be more eco-friendly in 2008, this simple list will be a great kick-start!

– Change Your Lightbulbs - switch out your incandescent bulbs and you will reduce emissions and save money on your energy bills.
– Turn the Lights Off When You Leave a Room - Lighting uses 19 percent of worldwide energy consumption. Even you can help bring that number down.
– Use Less Paper - Cut down on mail by paying your bills online this year. But don’t forget to send your grandmother a handwritten note every once in a while. She will forgive you.
– Recycle - If you haven’t started this yet, it’s about time. Find out what your city is doing.
– Use Paper Bags - Plastic bags are so passé. Consider buying a reusable grocery bag or stick with recyclable paper.
– Turn Off the Water When You Brush Your Teeth - Does it really need to be on when you aren’t using it?
– Unplug Unused Appliances - Just because you are not charging your cell phone doesn’t mean that the charger plugged in to the wall isn’t using energy. Unplug it.
– Take the Bus or Walk - Do you really need to drive everywhere? You can fit a little exercise into your busy day this way too.
– Make Wise Purchasing Decisions - If you are replacing appliances, be sure to buy low flow toilets or energy star appliances.
– Don’t Run Your Dishwasher Unless it is Full - Enough said.

I love having a real Christmas tree in the house! I hate getting sap on my hands. Easily comes off though — just rub some olive oil on your hands. No more sticky!

The queen of all things domestic has gone on record with her favorite tips for wrapping your holiday cheer!

Wrapping Paper
— To make gift wrapping less hectic, buy a variety of papers in a beautiful palette that works with any ribbon you choose.

— To distinguish identically wrapped presents, vary the color, width, and texture of the ribbons.

— Gift tags aren’t necessary if each family member is assigned a different color wrapping. Choose papers in solid hues that will
complement one another and enhance the colors on your tree.

Ribbons
— Ribbons and tags can get crushed, so don’t add them until you’re ready to unveil your gifts.

— Using the same type of ribbon is an attractive way to unify packages wrapped in different papers.

— Save bits of ribbons, seam binding, and twine along with decorative fruit, silk leaves, and miniature Christmas ornaments for adorning packages.

— With a little scissor work, basic self-adhesive bows are transformed into sumptuous blooms. For each “flower,” cut the loops of one small bow and one large bow at an angle. Then affix the small bow to the empty center of the large bow. Coil a short length of matching ribbon; place coil in center of the small bow, and secure with double-sided tape. Showcase a single bloom, or pair with more matching ribbon.

Tasteful Tags
— Gift tags are all the sweeter when they happen to be crisp cookies. To make them, cut gingerbread dough into shapes or letters, punch with a small hole for threading with cord, and bake. The cookies can be eaten while the unwrapping takes place, or hung on a tree as ornaments.

Photo Gift Toppers
— Decorate with a familiar face (or many of them). Print or copy a photo onto heavyweight paper. Then wrap the package with a wide band of ribbon. Using double-sided tape, secure the photo to ribbon. You can use the photos to identify the giver or the getter, or attach one favorite photo to all your presents.

I know, I know… I’ve TALKED about saving energy here. But this list is different! Here are some tips aimed directly at saving energy for the holiday season! (And they’re easy!)

Direct Energy is recommending these measures to reduce usage and maximize efficiency during the holidays:

– Turn down the heat a few degrees. Doing so could save 10 percent on heating bills. Reducing the heat before guests arrive makes sense, too, because all their extra body heat will soon warm up the room.

– Dim the lights and have memorable holiday meals by candlelight. You could even “go organic” and try soy candles.

– Decorate using LED bulbs, which have a rated life of 50,000 hours, representing nearly 20 years of normal usage. That’s a bargain, especially when compared with incandescent lights, which last just 600 to 1,000 hours.

– Wrap gifts with conservation in mind. If everyone wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or fabric gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 ice hockey rinks. (NOTE: I really don’t think we should be covering hockey rinks in paper! Who came up with that example!?!)

– Don’t open the oven door to peek at what’s cooking. It can lower oven temperatures as much as 25 degrees, which increases cooking time and gobbles energy. Use the oven light and window instead.

– Remember your other cooking appliances when preparing a holiday meal. Great for cooking or for heating up holiday dinner leftovers, microwaves use about 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens.

– Use your dishwasher for cleanup. A dishwasher requires 37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand.

– Buy miniature decorative lights, which use about 70 percent less energy and last much longer than bigger bulbs. Connect them to an automatic timer to reduce the chance of leaving your holiday lights burning all night or while you’re away.

Here is some great advice from the Ohio credit union association. Follow these tips to avoid getting in over your head this holiday season. No one wants to still be paying for Christmas in March!

– Make a list of who you will be buying gifts for, assign a dollar amount, and stick to it.
– Avoid using credit cards. Instead, pay for gifts with cash.
– Shop early and compare prices.
– Take advantage of sales, coupons, and special offers received in the mail.
– Don’t shop for yourself.
– Pay with a credit card if you can’t use cash; don’t use a debit card. Under federal law you can dispute credit card charges if you don’t get what you were promised. You also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on your credit card.
– Protect your identity by not using debit cards when purchasing gifts online.
– Know return and exchange policies for the stores where you make purchases.
– Have a plan for paying off your bills. For example, make up your mind to pay off your bills by Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to still be paying for holiday gifts on the Fourth of July.

Need some ideas of top-rated toys for the kids this year? Check out this child-approved list:

Serpent’s Spiral Coaster (K’NEX)
Winner: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead Free Platinum Award, iParenting Outstanding Products, Parent’s Choice Foundation, and National Parenting Center

The newest addition to the K’NEX Thrill Rides Series, the Serpent’s Spiral Coaster is the biggest, baddest roller coaster ever. The giant coaster features K’NEX micro parts for bigger, more intricate building. Coaster cars travel up the motorized chain lift, enter the mouth of the serpent five feet above ground, and then go spiraling down more than 38 feet of winding track!

For ages 9+. $59.99

Pop Beads (Parents(R) Magazine)
Winner: Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products and National Parenting
Publications Awards (NAPPA)

Future fashionistas will have a blast making their wildest jewelry dreams a reality with the Pop Beads make-your-own jewelry set. Classic pop beads, which feature a knob at one end that fits into a corresponding hole on a neighboring bead to link them together, get a distinctively modern update with cool shapes, textured surfaces and funky colors and patterns, all in silky-to- the-touch rubberized matte plastic.

For ages 4+. $20

SEE Toys Dynafly (Zen Design Group)
Winner: Creative Child Magazine’s Seal of Excellence Kid-powered SEE (Safety, Ecology, and Economy) Toys Dynafly features a
unique power crank that kids use to convert their own energy into electricity. This means that they never require disposable batteries, and unlike electronic toys that use solar power, kids control when and for how long they play. Dynafly features a dynamo ‘giggle crank’ — kids turn the crank to hear Dynafly laugh and buzz as they power him up for playtime. Dynafly’s big, buggy eyes light up with six colorful LED lights, while his movable fiber optic wings burst with colorful lights and his tail glows
red.

For ages 5+. $29.99

Colored Blocks (Brio)
Winner: Parent’s Choice Foundation Silver Honor Award Brio brings a modern edge to classic wooden toys with the all-wood
Colored Blocks. Budding builders will spend hours constructing colorful creations with the variety of fun shapes and stylish colors such as red, white, lime green and black.

For ages 12 months+. $26.99 (50-pc set); $43.99 (100-pc set)

Kid K’NEX Zoomin Buddies (K’NEX)
Winner: Parent’s Choice Foundation and Creative Child Magazine’s Seal of Excellence

KID K’NEX Zoomin’ Buddies is a playful set filled with friendly creatures on the move. Build fun, kooky characters that are vehicles, too! The set includes lots of colorful KID K’NEX rods, connectors, wheels and big, blinking eyes to add charm and charisma to any creation — from clunky trucks to silly sailboats.

For ages 3+. $9.99

10 Model Speed Machine (K’NEX)
Winner: Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products Speed demons and construction aficionados are in for the ultimate building experience! Loaded with 150 parts, the 10 Model Speed Machine comes packaged in a handy storage case and contains ideas for 10 high-velocity models sure to satisfy any young builder’s need for speed, including a Rocket Ship, Hovercraft and Speed Boat.

For ages 5-7. $9.99

Double Ferris Wheel (K’NEX)
Winner: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead Free Platinum Award An exciting, high powered ride, the Double Ferris Wheel stands over 3 feet tall with 850+ K’NEX pieces creating two star shaped wheels that spin in opposite directions as a result of the battery-powered motor included.

For ages 9+. $29.99

Kid K’NEX Country Pals and Undersea Pals (K’NEX)
Winners: Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice For the littlest builders in your home, Country Friends and Undersea Pals are filled with friendly, familiar creatures from land and sea. Little animal lovers will spend countless hours creating fanciful, far-fetched versions of their favorite country-dwelling creatures with the Country Friends Set, while young aqua-nauts will be bubbling with enthusiasm over the fun, friendly comrades they can create with the Undersea Pals Set.

For ages 3 +. $9.99

Water Works (Parents(R) Magazine)
Winner: BabyZone Amazing Toy Award and National Parenting Center Who needs paint to make great art, when water can be just as creative? The Water Works two-sided drawing tablet comes with four pens that easily fill with water. Both sides of the tablet board are covered by a special fabric that yields images when drawn upon with the water-filled pens. Images fade as the special cloth dries, meaning energetic young artists can quickly move on to creating countless new momentary masterpieces.

For ages 18+ months. $20

Kitty Keyboard (Parents(R) Magazine)
Winner: Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products Your toddler will feel like one groovy cat when he’s jamming on this sweet and silly feline-shaped instrument. Kitty Keyboard is chock full of purr-fectly fun features sure to keep active tots engaged and entertained. The keyboard lets kids choose from one of four different instrument sounds, including piano, bells, organ and banjo, or, they can embrace their inner kitten by activating the “Meow” button, turning the entire keyboard into a kitty concert-every note gets played in “meow”! Other entertaining functions include: automatic beat buttons, a record and play-back feature, a microphone with retractable cord and two prerecorded melody buttons that include fun favorites like “B-I-N-G-O” and “Hokey Pokey.”

For ages 2+. $30

Safari Figure 8 (Brio)
Winner: Creative Child Magazine’s Seal of Excellence The Safari Figure 8 set allows young adventure seekers to take the safari train to see animals in the wild. Safari guide figures are ready to lead you through the jungle expedition. Set also includes an engine and animal wagon to transport everyone, a decorated viaduct and jungle trees, and jungle friends like the zebra, leopard and rhinoceros.

For ages 3+. $34.99

Pull Along Duck (Brio)
Winner: National Parenting Center A traditional pull along toy, Brio’s Pull Along Duck is certainly eye catching, brightly painted in yellow, red, and blue. As a child pulls the duck along, the head shakes, the wings flap, and best of all the duck quacks! These fun, simple actions are sure to entertain a child for hours.

For ages 12+ months. $14.99

And for more ideas for kids and stockings, check out this post!

The Consumer Product Safety Coalition published this list of wonderful advice for staying safe around the house this holiday season!

Trees and Decorations:

— When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to burning.

— When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

— When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways.

— Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

— In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

— To avoid eye and skin irritation, wear gloves when decorating with spun glass “angel hair.”

— To avoid lung irritation, follow container directions carefully while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Lights:

— Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.

— Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.

— If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.

— Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

— When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles or a portable GFCI.

— Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Candles:

— Keep burning candles within sight.

— Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

— Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.

— Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house.

Fireplaces:

— Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that, if eaten, can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting. Keep them away from children.

— Do not burn wrapping paper or plastic items in the fireplace. These materials can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, resulting in a flash fire.

— Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable materials.

Get a free brochure with holiday decorating and toy safety tips at CPSC’s web site http://www.cpsc.gov.

It isn’t terribly often that the CDC endorses a product, but they have basically done that. I have not been a big fan of hand sanitizers… This is making me think twice!

Every three minutes, a child puts a hand in his/her nose or mouth. Considering that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks that children touch throughout the day, it is easy to see how clean hands are critical to avoiding sickness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps in avoiding getting sick and spreading germs to others. With the common cold accounting for nearly 22 million school days lost annually, according to the CDC, this is a critical time for parents to teach–or remind–the whole family of proper hand hygiene.

“There are plenty of unwashed hands out there. Only one in five of us does the job properly,” says Dr. Charles Gerba, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Arizona. “Everyone needs to be sure they understand how to wash properly and how and when to use alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers such as PURELL(R).”

Effective hand hygiene practices include washing hands frequently with soap and water and, when soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based instant hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. PURELL(R) Instant Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of the most common germs that may cause illness.

Everyone, no matter what age, can benefit from a hand hygiene refresher during cold and flu season. It comes down to three basic steps:

1. Tell your children why clean hands are so important. Proper hand hygiene is critical to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

2. Show your children how to wash hands properly, according to CDC instructions:
— Wet your hands with clean, warm water and apply soap.
— Rub hands together to create lather and scrub all surfaces (including between fingers and under nails).
— Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday).
— Rinse hands under running water.
— Always dry hands thoroughly.

3. Help your children keep clean anywhere they are. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers such as PURELL(R) effectively kill 99.99% of germs that may cause illness. There is no evidence that germs become resistant to alcohol — the main ingredient in PURELL(R) — or to other antibiotics as a result of using alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers. Show children how to use hand sanitizers properly:

— Apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
— Rub hands together — so that product covers all surfaces of hands and fingers — until hands are dry.

Then: remind, remind, remind. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, particularly before eating, and after using the bathroom and playing outside. Check with your school to see if you can send your older children in with a travel-size container of PURELL(R) to carry in their backpack, for quick and easy hand cleansing when soap and water are not readily available.

Our friends at Crest (of all places), have come up with some interesting tips for building the perfect stocking. While my favorite source will always be the dollar store, there are some gread ideas in this list!

For many, the traditional stocking (and included stocking stuffers) is the best part of Christmas morning. Whether it’s tradition for you to open your stocking before or after the bigger gifts, the little surprises found inside often inspire laughter, kisses or yelps of excitement. Just as fun as discovering your own stocking is the opportunity to create the perfect stocking for friends and family.

Keys to creating fabulous stockings are to think outside of the box and have fun! Below are some tips from SpinBrush(R) for stuffing a stocking with care:

– Stockings can be inexpensive: Stock up when favorite items are on sale.

– Create a theme stocking: Create a stocking theme that matches the recipient’s personality or interests, such as:

* For your “HERO” - This stocking might include a ‘Greatest Dad/Mom’ mug, superhero apparel or figures and a DVD set of any superhero flick or show.

* For Travelers - For the person who is always jet setting, suggestions include an alarm clock, a Crest(R) SpinBrush(R) Slim, a manicure set, a passport holder, a pack of cards, a stress ball, luggage tags, a paperback and a journal.

* For Pet Lovers’ - This stocking might include stationery, a calendar, cat/dog socks, a picture frame, a figurine and fuzzy slippers.

* For the Foodie - Gourmet nuts, cookie cutters, the latest kitchen gadget, a wine cork, a potholder, dishtowels and mints make a stocking that would thrill any food enthusiast.

* The “Kid” - An ‘adult’ stocking that celebrates childhood. A
slinky, crayons, bubbles, coloring books, candy and animated movies will take the recipient back to a simpler time in life.

* For the Gym Lover - This stocking is stuffed with the latest in exercise accessories and equipment. Smaller, ’stuffable’ items include a pedometer, an exercise band, an energy bar, an mp3 player and a water bottle.

– Stockings aren’t just for mantles anymore: Tradition says that stockings are ‘hung by the chimney with care.’ To add festive cheer, however, display stockings on the Christmas tree, a coat rack, the front door, along staircase railings or in other open spaces throughout the house.

– Start a tradition: Every year, fill a stocking with a collector’s item that the receiver would appreciate, such as a limited baseball card, a charm for a bracelet, an action figure or a special coin.

And while you’re preparing, remember these handy tips for wrapping your gifts!