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Stroller Recalls – Overreaction or Necessary Evil?

10 Rate One upon a time parenting was simpler, but recently moms and dads have more reason to be extra vigilant. The upswing in the number of baby product recalls forces parents and caregivers to be more cautious about what their young children sleep or ride in. The recall of strollers, crib bumpers and drop-side cribs are reminders that keeping your children safe can sometimes feel like balancing on a high wire.

In early 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of about 1.5 million Graco strollers and travel systems. At issue were the hinges on the stroller canopy, which posed a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard when the canopy was being opened or closed. The manufacturer received seven reports of injuries. Later that year the CPSC announced a recall of about 2 million more Graco strollers because of the risk of young children becoming trapped between the stroller tray and seat bottom and strangling. The CPSC reported six such instances, and four deaths were reported. Other recalls involved Bugaboo, BOB, Baby Jogger, UPPA and Britax strollers.

Alarming reports about cribs have also made the news.

In October 2011, Yu-Wei recalled about 8,000 of its drop-side cribs because the drop rails could malfunction, detach or fall down without warning. The CPSC reported nine instances involving the rails, and one child suffered minor arm abrasions. In September, Shermag issued a recall of about 2,300 cribs in the U.S. and 800 in Canada for the same problem. This time 21 instances were reported, but fortunately no injuries resulted. In April, ducduc recalled more than 300 of its cribs. The problem was that the cribs’ bottom rails could separate from the sides, when the mattress was in the lowest position, causing the mattress to fall. Five instances of this were reported, but again there were no injuries.

Up until recently, bumpers have been a basic component to infant bedding, ensuring little arms or legs would not get caught and pinched between the slats of the crib. No parent thought twice about lining the crib with a colorful bumper, along with baby blankets and soft stuffed animals. But in October the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines cautioning against their use. The reasoning is that infants can roll over face-first into the bumpers and suffocate, or get their neck caught in the ties, resulting in strangulation. The recommendation set off widespread debate over whether or not the bumpers should be banned outright.

All the excitement about the recalls leaves one to wonder how today’s parents find the right balance for them and their children. Many families are now wrestling with the question of whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking into account the vast number of strollers and cribs bought each year and used without incident, sometimes the negative publicity generated by an occasional accident seems like an overreaction.

For many years, parents have put their young children to bed at night in a drop-side crib with no worries about its safety. Now that style of crib is no longer sold, and leaning over to tuck the little one into a high-railed bed is a little more complicated. Buying a safe stroller is almost like playing Russian roulette, in hopes it won’t be targeted for the next recall. And with the backlash against crib bumpers, new parents wonder if there is anything remaining they can safely leave in their child’s crib. With that in mind, parents today are forced to make decisions not even dreamed of a few years ago.

^{Valerie Baldowski is passionate about writing about everything from childrens safety and juvenile products to gardening tools. She is the mother of a high energy 8 year old child so she is accustomed to researching childrens products and services. Her writing and researching began at an early age… See more about Valerie}

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Top 10 Baby Strollers

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What to Take on a Backpacking Trip

By S. Dee Davis

10 Rate As stated already in the buying guide, how much gear you’re carrying will have a huge impact on what kind of bag you use. Here is a rough list of essential things you’ll want with you on a backpacking trip. Depending on how many people you’re in a group with, you may need to carry most or all of this gear yourself, resulting in the need for a larger pack. This list was developed with a late-summer backpacking trip to… oh, let’s say Colorado in mind. Keep in mind that your personal gear requirements are going to vary based on your preferences of total pack weight, accessories you like to carry with you and again, the number of people in your party and the total amount of communal group gear necessary.

Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Tent with rain fly and poles
Small nylon tarp for use as a cooking shelter
Backpacking stove
Fuel bottle
Two cooking pots, or a pot and a frying pan.
Cooking utensils
Eating bowl and mug
Food (planning food for a backpacking trip is a whole separate list. If you’re willing to spring for freeze-dried ready-made meals, however, food can be very lightweight).
Rain jacket
Extra pair of socks and underwear
Midweight jacket
Long-sleeve shirt
Warm hat
Pair of tennis shoes for wearing around camp at the end of the day (not only are they vastly superior to hiking boots in the comfort department, lightweight shoes are much friendlier to the ground you’re treading on).

This is not a comprehensive list, but should give you an idea of how much gear you will have to stuff into and strap onto your pack. When planning a trip, consult guidebooks and other hikers and gather as much information as you can on local conditions if you’ve never been there before packing your gear.

^{As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years… See more about S. Dee Davis}

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A Child’s Development Level From Ages 5 to 7

Once your child reaches early school age, he or she will have already become fairly self-sufficient and will only become more so. Each day provides new opportunities to learn, explore, and discover more about the world. The educational toys that kids at this developmental stage play with enhance the skills that they’re learning in school.

Fine motor skills

As kids learn to read and write in kindergarten, they’re also developing the fine motor skills required to hold a pencil properly and carefully trace letters and numbers. Toys that allow children to practice drawing shapes and images in fine detail are ideal.

Hand-eye coordination

At ages 5 to 7, kids’ gross motor skills have developed to a greater degree, allowing them to perform a series of movements smoothly. With improved hand-eye coordination, they can enjoy common sports and physical games. Kids this age are better at playing catch even with small balls.

Communication and cognitive skills

In the early school years, children develop better speaking and listening skills. They have more patience for longer stories and may enjoy making up stories themselves. At the same time, they’re learning the basics of reading, writing, and math. Educational toys reinforce these fundamental skills. They have advanced enough to begin understanding and enjoying board games with the family.

Social development

As children go through school, they learn to better react with other children and consider the world from a less ego-centric view. Games that encourage social interaction, fair play, sharing, and taking turns are useful for developing kids’ social skills.

Toys That Help Kids Read

If your children are just learning how to read, then you understand how important it is to encourage them to practice and develop reading skills. It’s helpful to look for ways to incorporate reading lessons into everyday situations—for instance, asking kids to sound out words on billboards as you’re driving… [more]

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Toys That Help Kids Read

If your children are just learning how to read, then you understand how important it is to encourage them to practice and develop reading skills. It’s helpful to look for ways to incorporate reading lessons into everyday situations—for instance, asking kids to sound out words on billboards as you’re driving. Fortunately, there are many cool toys out there that keep kids from getting bored with reading and make it seem like less of a chore.

Magnetic letters

Magnetic letter pieces are a classic but effective tool for teaching reading. The colorful plastic letters adorn the front of your refrigerator and allow toddlers to get a tactile feel for the different shapes before they can even spell. The more kids learn, the more they’ll enjoy arranging the letters to spell their names and other simple words.

Flashcards

You don’t have to use flashcards solely for rote drilling. Try creating games with the cards—spread them out on the table and ask your child to pick out a specific word. Reading flashcards, whether you buy colorfully illustrated packs or make some yourself, are ideal for helping kids become familiar with common words so they can recognize them on sight.

Electronics

Today’s children are more technologically savvy than ever before. If you own a smart phone, your toddler probably knows how to work it as effectively as you do. That’s why toy companies are capitalizing on kids’ natural interest in all things shiny and flashy, creating tablets specifically for children’s use. LeapFrog, for instance, has developed tablets with hundreds of games and apps that children can play to strengthen their reading and math skills. E-books for children may feature read-along tools like a wand or stylus that kids can hold over an unfamiliar word to help them out.

As much fun as snazzy electronics can be for kids, it’s important to remember that the value of reading books cannot be underestimated. Whether your kids can read chapter books or they’re still learning the ABCs, you can foster a love of reading in them by curling up together to enjoy a storybook.

Best Toys for Children Ages 5-7

For school kids ages 5 to 7, the best educational toys disguise learning as fun and games. We found the following 10 toys to be exceptional for such qualities as… [more]

A Child’s Development level from Ages 5-7

Once your child reaches early school age, he or she will have already become fairly self-sufficient and will only become more so. Each day provides new opportunities to learn, explore, and discover more about the world. The educational toys that kids at this developmental stage play with enhance the skills that they’re learning in school…. [more]

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What Is the Sabbath Mode On My Oven?

10 Rate As you scan through the list of specifications for various appliances, you may notice some models have a Sabbath Mode designation. We know that the Sabbath is the day of rest for practicing Christians and Jews, but what does that have to do with ovens?

In fact, KitchenAid developed the Sabbath Mode in 1994 out of consideration for observant Jews who wish to keep kosher during the Sabbath and other extended holy days. Most modern range models include an automatic shut-off feature so we don’t accidentally leave the oven on for more than twelve hours. However, Jewish people are restricted from turning appliances on or off during the Sabbath because it qualifies as work. They can, however, still use appliances that are already turned on. So this special feature overrides the shut-off function so the observant can keep food warm throughout the day.

What does this feature mean if you’re not Jewish? You don’t need to worry about it; it’s purely an optional function that has no other effects on your oven’s performance. The Sabbath Mode is simply a convenient feature developed out of respect for people of a certain faith.

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How to Light a Gas Range in a Power Outage

10 Rate An added bonus gas ranges have over their electric counterparts is that you can still light them when the power has gone out in your home. This trick works if your gas range uses natural gas and an electronic ignition. If you aren’t sure which type of ignition your stove uses, see if the burner makes a clicking noise when you turn the knob. If it does, then you’re good to go.

Steps to light the burner manually:

Remove the grate over the burner.
Turn the dial to “ignite” or “light” to start the gas flow.
Light a match and hold the tip about a half-inch from the burner to ignite the gas.
Once the burner is lit, replace the grate and cook as you normally would.
Turn the dial off when you have finished.

With this simple procedure, you can still use your gas range even when all the other appliances in your home are out. Just be sure to douse the match thoroughly with water before disposing of it.

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Digital Zoom vs. Optical Zoom: What’s the Difference?

By Brian Jones

Many digital cameras include both digital zoom and optical zoom. It’s helpful to understand the difference between these two zooming features when you’re trying to get a close-up view of something far away.

Optical zoom maintains a high clarity as it zooms in on an image, changing its focal length and magnification. The optics, or lens, of the camera pull the subject you’re shooting closer. APS and 35mm cameras commonly use optical zoom.

Digital zoom came along with digital video cameras. When you take a photograph with digital zoom, the camera crops a selected portion of the image and then enlarges it to fill the full frame again. Some picture quality is lost in the process. Digital zoom is not a useless feature, and practically every digital camera offers it, but you can achieve the same effect yourself with an image editing program like Photoshop.

10 Rate Is one better than the other?

Frankly, yes. Optical zoom will give you the better quality picture, which is especially important if you like blowing up your photos into 5”x7” and 8”x10” prints. If you usually just print 4”x6” photos, then digital zoom may not have much of a noticeable effect on the picture quality.

Remember when you’re shooting photos that you can take a shot without digital zoom and later edit the photo yourself with image editing software. You can crop whatever section of the image you wish and enlarge it as much as you want, and the original photograph on your camera is still high quality. If you take the shot in digital zoom, then you’re stuck with a blurrier picture from the get-go.

Look for options when you’re buying a camera

As you browse through digital camera options, look for those that alert you when it uses digital zoom. Most also let you disable digital zoom. Camera manufacturers have recognized that digital zoom degrades image quality and have come up with “smart” or “intelligent” zoom. This feature avoids interpolating, or negatively altering, the image when you choose to save it in a smaller size than the full size your camera offers.

For example, if you own a 10MP camera and you choose to save an image as 7MP, you would normally lose 3MP of image data taken from all over the picture. However, with a smart zoom feature, the camera offers to extract the pixels from the outside edges of the image first. The result is a smaller image, similar to a zoom, but without the degraded picture quality. Because you’re saving it as 7MP, it won’t be enlarged back to 10MP as it would with traditional digital zoom.

This feature is handy because it doesn’t force you to throw away the precious image data you want to keep. You just have to remember that with your smaller image size, you’re limited to how much you can enlarge it without it getting fuzzy and pixelated again.

In short

Ultimately, optical zoom is going to give you the best picture quality. Digital cameras with intelligent zoom are preferable to ones with regular digital zoom, but always consider optical zoom first and foremost.

^{Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian}

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Should I Get a Hanging, Wall-Mounted, or Freestanding Pot Rack?

Depending on your kitchen design and personal preferences, you may decide to buy a either a hanging, wall-mounted, or freestanding pot rack. Each variety has its special qualities and attractions, although they all serve basically the same purpose: organizing and storing pots, pans, and utensils.

10 Rate Hanging pot racks

As you might guess from the name, hanging pot racks are suspended from the ceiling, typically over a kitchen island or near the range. Hanging pot racks usually must be secured to a beam or joist in the ceiling in order to stay in place. The grid is held up by chains, and hooks attached to the grid support the cookware and utensils.

You can find hanging racks in circular, rectangular, and oval shapes.

Rectangular racks usually match the shape of the islands they hang over. They’re also easy to fit into corners if that’s where you wish to suspend them.
Circular racks are nice because the pots and pans hang evenly all around; one side doesn’t look unbalanced compared to the other.
Oval racks are a nice blended version of the rectangular and circular types. They still have a nice curve but they’re also very wide, holding more pots and pans.

Hanging pot racks are sometimes heavy, depending on the material. Unless you have a helping hand, it could be difficult to assemble the rack and install it in a ceiling beam.

10 Rate Wall-mounted pot racks

If you have limited space in your kitchen, you may be happier with a wall-mounted pot rack, which screws into the wall. Some heavy rack models require you to locate a wall stud; others come with toggle anchors that attach securely to drywall. Either way, wall-mounted racks typically keep pots and pans flush to the wall. You can find some models that extend from the wall, so the cookware hangs from a grid like it does from the hanging variety.

Wall-mounted pot racks are especially advantageous if you want to keep your pot collection within easy reach above the range. Some double as bookshelves for convenient decoration.

10 Rate Freestanding pot racks

This variety of pot rack almost resembles a decorative piece of furniture, usually with layers of shelves for storing cookware, books, and other items. You may have an empty corner where a freestanding unit would look nice and complement the décor of the kitchen. Often it’s easier to organize deep stock pots in a cookware stand than on a hanging or wall-mounted rack.

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The Different Types of Juicers: Pros and Cons of Citrus, Centrifugal, Masticating, and Wheatgrass Juice Extractors

By Brittany Rowland

10 Rate There are different juicers that perform different functions and yield varying performance results. As you shop for a juicer, you need to decide if you want a general purpose juicer for fruits and vegetables; a more versatile model that can make other foods like pasta, salsa, and baby food; or a juicer exclusively for wheatgrass and leafy greens. There are pros and cons to each type of juicer.

Citrus juicer

As its name suggests, a citrus juicer is used exclusively for citrus fruits: lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.

Pros:

The most inexpensive type of juicer, you can find one for as little as $20.
More efficient that wringing fruits by hand.
Lightweight, easy to assemble, and portable.
With little to no mechanical parts, it’s highly durable.

Cons:

Limited to citrus.
Usually requires manual work.

Centrifugal juicer

This type of juicer relies on centrifugal force to separate the juice and the pulp. The most common type of juicer, it handles all types of fruits and vegetables, simultaneously chopping them up with blades and straining the pulp from the juice.

Pros:

Can be found for reasonable, affordable prices.
Easy to assemble and clean its parts.
Good general purpose juicer for beginners.
Quick and effective juice extraction.

Cons:

With a high-powered motor comes a lot of noise.
Spinning produces a lot of foam and froth.
Juice contains fewer enzymes and nutrients.
Doesn’t process wheatgrass or leafy greens.

Masticating juicer

Unlike a centrifugal juicer, the masticating kind literally chews up the food, extracting more juice and preserving more natural nutrients.

Pros:

Works at a lower speed, reducing heat and foam.
Less oxidation means healthy, all-natural enzymes stay in the juice.
Quieter than centrifugal juicers.
Its single-gear construction makes it more durable in the long run.
Handles leafy greens.

Cons:

Heavy and bulky models take up a lot of counter space.
Higher price.
Some models have difficult assembly.

Wheatgrass juicers

Some people are interested exclusively in wheatgrass, a type of leafy green superfood. Wheatgrass juicers may or may not also process fruits and vegetables.

Pros:

Juices wheatgrass, leaves, and herbs, which contain a lot of fiber that other types of juicers can’t handle.
Masticating process yields a high output of juice.
A cost-effective solution for people who just want wheatgrass and not fruits and vegetables.
The low motor speed means a nearly silent operation and juice that preserves its natural enzymes.

Cons:

Some models require manual work.
Typically do not juice fruits or vegetables.
Very expensive and complicated to assemble.
Quite heavy.

^{Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany}

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10 Tips for Improving the Efficiency and Performance of Your Dryer

10 Rate By Brittany Rowland

1. Look for an energy-efficient model.

A dryer’s efficiency is measured in terms of the energy factor, or the pounds of clothes dried per kilowatt-hour of electricity. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the dryer. Even if an energy-efficient model costs more initially, you’ll recoup the cost in the long term with each load of laundry you throw in it.

2. Choose gas or electric based on your laundry room’s hookup settings.

Does your home already have a 240-volt current or a gas line? If so, then choosing between an electric or a gas dryer becomes a lot easier.

3. Select a dryer with moisture sensors.

Many quality dryers now offer sensors in their drums that detect the moisture level of the clothes and automatically adjust the temperature and time of the drying cycle. The dryers will also shut off automatically when they sense that the clothes are dry, rather than estimating when they should be done. This feature saves you energy costs over time and also protects your clothes from overheating and shrinking.

4. Look for the perma-press option.

For the best drying results, choose a dryer that includes a cool-down, or perma-press, feature. As the dryer finishes its cycle, it will start blowing cool air. This feature is especially helpful at preserving the colors in your dark loads.

5. Install the dryer in a warm place.

Location matters, even with your washer and dryer. If your laundry room is located in a dank, chilly garage or basement, the dryer will have to work harder to produce enough heat.

6. Clean the lint filter regularly.

Performing this simple task after every load or two will greatly improve the air circulation in the dryer, helping the machine work more efficiently. Neglecting to clean the lint filter regularly can also pose a fire hazard.

7. Dry loads back to back.

After one load has finished drying, throw another one in right away to take advantage of the leftover heat.

8. Use a straight metal vent to the outside.

Making sure your dryer is vented properly will greatly save you heating and cooling costs. Metal holds up better than vinyl against heat exposure, and it’s less likely to get twisted or crushed, restricting the air flow.

9. Dry full loads of similar-material clothing.

Without overloading the dryer, put in as full a load as you can. Also sort the clothes by material type. For instance, soggy towels take longer to dry than synthetic items, so don’t mix the two.

10. Make your washing machine spin the moisture out.

Use a high spin speed on your washing machine to wring out most of the moisture before you even put the clothes in the dryer.

^{Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany}

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What You Should Know About Washer Warranties

10 Rate By Brittany Rowland

Most manufacturers of washing machines offer a one- year warranty, covering all parts and labor for the machine. After the first year, the warranty typically covers specific parts. When you’re buying a new washer, however, you’ll probably hear a sales pitch for an
extended warranty. The question becomes: do you really need the extended warranty or is it not worth the extra cost?

These days, most big appliances are pretty reliable. Surprisingly, according to a Consumer Reports survey, it’s usually within the first year of use that a washer needs any maintenance or repairs, and that’s when it’s already covered by the one-year warranty. A washer that lasts the first year with no problems will probably hold up well the next four or five years.

Many consumers view purchasing a new high-end washer as a great investment. After all, they’re spending a lot of money—easily over $1000—for a machine they expect to function for a long time. They may see paying extra for the extended warranty as a necessary form of insurance. What customers don’t realize, though, is that manufacturers and retailers carefully calculate the odds of a major appliance breaking down and the cost of repairs when determining the price of that extended warranty, and in most cases, they’re the ones coming out ahead on the deal.

Deciding whether to get the extended warranty is a gamble. Your washer could be a lemon. It could have minor repairs that are cheaper to pay for as they come. Your machine may have no issues at all. It may be wiser to spend that extra money you’d plunk down for a warranty for a better performing washer. Some people still prefer that extra peace of mind knowing their appliances are covered. Before you decide anything, just be sure that you understand all the terms of agreement so there are no nasty surprises down the road.

^{Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany}