Family Dollar Christmas Lights Recalled from 2011

Did you buy these lights last year from Family Dollar, maybe at the end of the season to save some money??? You may want to reconsider using them if you are getting ready to decorate for Christmas, since they do not follow the UL code and can catch your house on fire or give you or your family an electric shock. Check out the full press release from the CPSC.

 

 

Thinking about DIY Projects' Safety Before You DIY

This morning at work, while researching lamp shade fabric flammability safety (aren't you jealous) I stumbled upon this great blog post from Light and Paper, entitled "fire-proof lamp shades? no such thing, be smart.".
You should really check it out Brenda Irwin, the author, really raises some key points when considering a DIY project.

October Was Nationwide Window Cord Safety Effort

So, this is a bit late but the message in itself is not late and for some reason it seems October is the month to do all sorts of awareness campaigns.. it's a not overwhelming...no not at all.  Regardless of how many campaigns we have in October, one of the most important ones to pay attention to if you have small children is one to promote the safety of  window cords.

It's the BIG DAY!!

No... I am not going into labor, it is time to VOTE.  Voting is the foundation of our country and your civic duty as an American.  People have died for us to be able to exercise this right to have a say in our government.

Wall St Journal Reports: Safety Agency Probes Complaints of Children Trapped in Graco Seats

On Oct 20 The Wall St. Journal reported that there were many complaints regarding consumers being able to remove a child from Graco brand car seats and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was launching an investigation into the validity of these complaints.  The reports indicate that sometimes people need to go so far as to cut the harnesses to remove the child from the seat after normal (non-accident) use.  The models identified are: Nautilus seats from 2009 through 2012 with model numbers 175166, 1761306, 1763461, 8J00MTX, and My Ride 65 seats from 2009 through 2011.  Do you have any of these seats?

Exciting New Link on Product Safety Page

Today I updated the Product Safety page of this blog to include the brand spankin' new cross border Global Recall Database.  This is so exciting to the world of product safety , you and me because this is the 1st ever database of its kind available to all internet  users.  So, no matter if you purchased something on vacation abroad or you were gifted something from someone overseas, you can keep up to date on if the products in your home and used by your family are on a recall list anywhere in the world that keeps track of unsafe products. The growing global nature of the way we are living dictates this necessity and I hope you find a use for this resource. Currently the database is supported by The USA, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Europe and Canada; but I suspect other countries such as South Korea and Japan won't be far behind.

Tomato Pickles Galore

The Giant Pot for Water Bath Processing

15 Pounds of Green Tomatoes

Tomato Pickles Galore

The time has come for the vegetable garden to be cleaned up for the winter.  The tomatoes are no longer ripening on the vine like they were going out of style and consequently, there are tons... ok not tons but 10 lbs...of green tomatoes looking to have something done with them.  So rather than throw them away, I have decided to pickle the last of the harvest and share my process with you.  My adventure started two

The BIG Decision...Which Car Seat?

We have decided on the Chicco Keyfit 30....yea the great debate is finally over!!!  And we will be buying new unless someone I know and trust is looking to sell theirs. (and seriously if you are please send me a message).

I did some internet research and received so much advice about the BIG car seat decision via Facebook that I feel like it would be prudent to share the great advice:

All Registered Up...with the exception of one important item

 Last week my Mom and I spent Sunday afternoon registering for gifts at Babies"R"Us since so many people have been asking about it.  (the husband was working on an exterior renovation project that I am unable to help with since I am pregnant).  The afternoon was really a great bonding experience with Mom and I think it will be one of the most memorable experiences shopping with her in my life.  We picked out everything and more that we think we will need (or would really love to have) with the exception of the car seat **insert dramatic music here**  The car seat has me stumped and is causing me to stress out to the max.