Playground Key Safety Checklist

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a Playground Safety Checklist that you may want to read. Each year, more than 200,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency rooms with injuries associated with playground equipment. Please pass it on to schools and clubs by sending out the link below:
http://ecologicalmomblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/playground-key-safety-checklist.html

The Checklist include:

1. Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.
2. Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
3. Make sure play structures more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart.
4. Check for dangerous hardware, like open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends.
5. Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails o between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
6. Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
7. Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
8. Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
9. Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition.
10. Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they’re safe.

Source: CPSC

Thanksgiving Caloric Feast

The 4-day holiday is around the corner, but you still have time to rethink the menu (and we'll post some good options within the next couple of weeks!). Choosing healthier ingredients is a great idea! Check out how many calories some Thanksgiving classics can carry:

• Cranberries -- Whether they come in the shape of a tin can or not, Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without this tart, sweet side dish. But an average 1/3 cup serving of the canned kind clocks in at 225 calories and, luckily, less than 1 gram of fat. 
• Sweet Potatoes -- Some people serve 'em straight up baked, but when you're going all out, nothing beats ooey gooey orange goodness topped with toasted marshmallows. For an average 1/2 cup portion, prepare to make room for about 315 calories and 7 grams of fat. 
• Mashed Potatoes -- When it comes to this simple, traditional comfort food, you might not be that comfy with the stats. A 1-cup serving adds up to 240 calories and 12 grams of fat. 
• Stuffing -- This bready side dish offers temptation that any true carboholic will rarely be able to resist. An average 1/2 cup serving: 265 calories and 11 grams of fat. 
• Turkey -- The headliner/main event/entree/star of the show .... Call it what you will, but the average 6-ounce serving of the festive bird will run you -- depending if you pick leaner white or fattier dark meat (both with skin) -- about 260-320 calories and 11-16 grams of fat. 
• Pumpkin Pie -- The encore, if you will. It seems to me you either hate it or you love it. But either way, it is the classic Thanksgiving Day dessert -- homemade whipped cream optional. For 1/8th pie: 340 calories and 15 grams of fat.

A grand total of ... 1,705 calories and 61 grams of fat. This is before any hors d'oeuvres, rolls, croissants, pats of butter, buttery veggies, oily dressings, wine, cookies, and of course, second helpings.

Source: Yahoo, The Stir

Baby Skincare Products: Less is Better

There is so much marketing about baby skincare products...it is overwhelming. We think keeping it to the basics is the best way to go. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• For the first six months minimize the use of skin care products. Choose single-ingredient organic baby skin treatments such as organic olive oil or shea butter to moisturize.
• Gradually increase your baby's toilette after the first six months, making sure your baby is not allergic. Always do a patch test when trying new products on your baby's skin. Read all labels with discernment.
• Take care not to bathe your baby excessively.
• To further protect your baby's skin you'll want to minimize your baby's sun exposure and use organic baby sunscreen.
• Minimize chemicals used in diapering products.
• Find out what chemicals were used to treat your baby's bedding and layette.
• Cut your baby's nails regularly, to prevent cuts and scratches. You may find yourself cutting them every other day. Also you may find that safety scissors result in a much smoother and closer cut than baby clippers.
• Use certified organic baby shampoo for your baby's hair and wash it sparingly. Take a sniff, you'll know when it's dirty.
• Avoid powder, it can be quite toxic.

Source: Organic Baby Resource

Isabooties Eco-Giveaway: Congratulations Dawn O.

Congratulations Dawn O., zip code 37876. You are the first winner of our Isabooties Eco-Giveaway. Please e-mail us a EcoLogicalMom@ymail.com to redeem your prize. You will love it.