Parent Bloggers Experience Lexus Safety
I must admit: I don’t know much about cars, but I do know I want to keep my family safe in the car I drive. Lexus understands that. And, honestly, with all the recalls lately, they know they have to get this right and they have.
Last week I traveled to California for the Lexus Family Safety Camp and in four short hours I learned a tremendous amount about how important features such as Anti-Lock Brakes and Vehicle Stability Control are to the overall safety of those driving and riding in their vehicles. I know most of you already know and understand how important these are but for those of us who were at the safety camp we were able to see how cars perform that don’t have these features. Scary!
One of the features of Lexus vehicles that really caught my attention was their Brake Override System. At the end of this year all Lexus vehicles will have the Brake Override System. Essentially, this technology tells the car that even if you are driving and your car is in full throttle if you press the brake firmly your car will stop. Period.
Maclaren Issues Statement About Recall
I’m sure many of you heard about the Maclaren recall that was initiated last week due to unsafe hinges that amputated the tips of children’s fingers both in the US and in the UK. As a result, Maclaren recalled all of their umbrella strollers from 1999-2009.
Last Friday they issued a statement to consumers. Although I’ve never been a Maclaren user and, in fact, I consult for a high-end baby company, I thought you might be interested to read what Maclaren has to say in light of the backlash over their recalled strollers.
Read More…
Plum Organics — Recalled
Yesterday, Plum Organics, voluntarily recalled their Apple Carrot Baby Food in Portable Pouches with the May 21, 2010 best by date and with the following number on the bottom of the package: 890180001221.
According to Plum Organics official release:
Consumers can return any Plum Organics Apple & Carrot pouch-based baby food with the above “best by” date and UPC code to Toys-R-Us or Babies-R-Us for a full reimbursement.
On the Net: Apple Carrot Baby Food Recall Information
Back-to-School Backpack Safety Tips
Back-to-School is in full swing and not only are school supplies surely on your list of priorities, but your child’s backpack and backpack safety should be as well. Dr. Sheeraz A. Qureshi, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City suggests that parents consider function over fashion when choosing a backpack for a child. “Healthy habits as an adolescent can reduce the chances of having chronic back problems as they get older,” commented Dr. Qureshi. “It is extremely important for students and parents to be mindful of the weight they are carrying and how they distribute that weight.”
Some additional backpack tips from Dr. Qureshi:
- Check the number of straps. Backpacks with two straps distribute the weight of the bag more evenly, placing less stress on the shoulders.
- It is also preferred that a backpack have a strap that goes around the child’s waist to balance the backpack’s weight between the shoulders and hips.
- Backpacks with wheels place almost no stress on the back and are therefore preferable to standard backpacks. However, some schools do not permit this type of rolling bag so check before buying one of these.
- Wearing a heavy backpack can affect the way you walk. For children, wearing the backpack lower on the back seems to improve walking mechanics and may reduce pain.
Bringing Home Baby in a Compact Car
As gas prices continue to soar, more people are opting to drive more fuel efficient, compact cars. And that means parents need compact child seats to accomodate smaller space in their automobiles.
Britax Child Safety Inc., a leading child seat manufacturer, has announced the addition of the Diplomat(TM), a compact child seat with True Side Impact Protection(TM).
The Britax Diplomat(TM), which is modeled after Britax’s best-selling child seat, the Boulevard(TM), is approved to hold children who weigh up to 40 pounds. This compact child seat has a quick-adjust headrest and harness for easy and accurate adjustment, and includes body pillows, offering children greater comfort, positioning and sleep support.
The Diplomat(TM), which will be available in late August 2007, will retail at $259.99 and will be available in a variety of fabrics with vibrant colors and sophisticated patterns. The Diplomat(TM) can be purchased nationwide at independent retail shops and mass retailers.
On the Web: http://www.britaxusa.net/
Source: Britax Child Safety Inc.
Bulletproof Backpacks — Just in Time for Back-to-School
Once upon a time our children could go to school, get an education, make lifelong friends, and all they had to worry about was the kid in class who picked on them or the school bully who harassed them for their lunch money. Now, in 2007, children get killed in schools and that’s not an old wives’ tale. That’s the truth.
A group of concerned fathers have gotten together and created a bulletproof backpack for children to use in the unfortunate event some kid or adult goes ballistic and starts shooting to kill. Usually I would scoff at such a notion, but parents have got to protect their kids, even if their measures seem a bit extreme. In my opinion there’s absolutely nothing wrong with arming one’s child with the tools to survive.
These bulletproof backpacks are not as heavy as police officer’s 15 pound bulletproof vests. In fact, they’re much lighter; even a small child can wear one. They will retail for $175.
On the Web: MJ Saftey Solutions
Nadia Simone: Age 2 1/2 years
Click here to see all Mommy Too! Cuties
Mom Essays
We would love to publish your essays. We are accepting 300-400 word essays about motherhood and womanhood. Email essays to mommytoo {at} gmail.com for consideration. We can't wait to read your submissions.
Send us your cuties. 
Are you a mom blogger? 
