Be Safe This Holiday Season

Decorations are an important part of the holiday season. They add beauty to our homes and somehow make the holidays a little more special. But candles, Christmas trees, overloaded electrical plugs and ornaments can pose fire and other hazards, especially to curious children.

As you decorate your home this year, keep a close eye on both children and the decorations themselves by following these simple safety tips:

• Keep your children in mind as you decorate. Don’t put ornaments and seasonal knick knacks with small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on the lower branches of your tree or on shelves or tables where small children can easily reach them.
• Curious crawlers and toddlers like to pull on things that are within reach. If possible, trim the lowest protruding branches from your Christmas tree, and keep lights out of reach.
• Natural trees always involve some risk of fire. To minimize the risk, get a fresh tree and keep it watered at all times. If your tree was pre-cut, you should saw 2-3 inches off the bottom of the trunk to allow more water to be absorbed into the tree.
• Be especially careful about where you place your tree. Don’t place the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent.
• Never leave a lit tree or other decorative lighting display unattended. Turn off your interior lights when you aren’t home or are sleeping.
• Inspect old Christmas lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets. These can cause shock and burn hazards for children and adults.
• Do not overload extension cords or outlets with too many plugs. If you must use an extension cord, be careful not to place the electrical cord under a rug as it can overheat and become a fire hazard.
• Never burn tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
  

Best wishes from everyone for a safe and happy holiday season.

GREENGUARD Announces Big Bundle of Joy Sweepstakes

Nothing makes you happier than keeping your baby safe - that includes protecting the indoor air she breathes. GREENGUARD can help by showing you which products are healthier for your home.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, not-for-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification programs. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable product standards for building materials, interior furnishings, cleaners, electronics and children’s products.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute also establishes building standards designed to protect the health of occupants through the control of mold, moisture and indoor pollutants. An advisory board comprised of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI.

The GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program gives assurance that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits, which contribute to the creation of healthier interiors. Achieving GREENGUARD Certification gives credence to manufacturers’ sustainability claims, backing them with empirical scientific data from an unbiased, third-party organization.

GREENGUARD has just announced a Big Bundle of Joy Sweepstakes, and you could win a nursery filled with GREENGUARD Certified products you select from our giveaway partners - total value of $10,000! Sweepstakes ends 1/31/11. Visit http://greenguard.org/sweeps to enter the contest, and we invite you to come in to our store today to see the Young America cribs that have been certified by GREENGUARD.

CAR SEAT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM BRITAX

Britax has issued a safety recall on specific models of the Chaperone Infant Car Seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that all Britax Chaperone Infant Car Seats manufactured between April 2009 and May 2010 for Model numbers E9L69N9, E9L69P2, E9L69P3 and EL969P5 contain a defect which relates to safety. If you own a Britax Chaperone Car Seat, please check immediately to see if your car seat is included in this recall.

Description of the Defect
The Chest Clip supplied with the Chaperone Infant Car Seat was incorrectly produced by the manufacturer which resulted in a more brittle chest clip than was intended. As a result, the chest clip which positions the harness straps across the infant’s shoulders may break when the chest clip is engaged as the infant is secured into the infant car seat. The sharp edges of the broken chest clip create a risk of a skin laceration and the fractured components of the chest clip may present a small parts/choking hazard. If your chest clip breaks, remove the broken chest clip from the harness along with any fragments. The Chaperone Infant Car Seat can continue to be used until the replacement chest clip is installed.

Please note that not all Chaperone Infant Car Seats are included in the recall notice. ALL Chaperone Infant Car Seats manufactured after May 2010 are NOT included in the recall.

Britax will provide a remedy kit that contains a replacement chest clip and an instruction sheet. Confirm whether your Chaperone Infant Car Seat is affected by verifying the model number, date of manufacturer as follows:

1. Remove Chaperone Infant Car Seat from base.
2. Turn Infant Car Seat over and locate the white sticker on underside of Car Seat.
3. Look for model numbers and manufacturing dates: E9L69N9, E9L69P2, E9L69P3, E9L69P5; Manufactured between April 2009 through May 2010.
4. If your Chaperone Infant Car Set is affected, please visit www.chaperoneseatrecall.com for instructions on how to correct this safety hazard. The model and manufacture date from your Chaperone Infant Car Seat will be necessary information when calling or viewing the posted information on line.
   

As always, we strive to provide only the highest quality products and urge you to check your Britax car seat immediately for the safety of your child.