Friday, April 30, 2010

CPSC Recalls

I am so grateful for the CPSC notification list. I found out yesterday, the day of the news release, that my daughter's crib was recalled. No having to wait to hear by word of mouth or *maybe* from the corporation (or maybe not since the company is not in business anymore). I found out immediately and right away took her out of her crib.

We're returning it ASAP and getting her a new one! I am so happy to be signed up for these notifications and I encourage all parents to do so:

https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2010
Release #10-211 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908


Simplicity Cribs Recalled by Retailers; Mattress-Support Collapse Can Cause Suffocation and Strangulation
One Infant Death Reported
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing the recall of all Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. This recall includes fixed-side and drop-side cribs. These cribs pose a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment, strangulation, suffocation and fall hazards to infants and toddlers.

The crib's tubular metal mattress-support frame can bend or detach and cause part of the mattress to collapse, creating a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged, entrapped or fall out of the crib.

CPSC has received a report of a one-year-old child from North Attleboro, Mass. who suffocated when he became entrapped between the crib mattress and the crib frame in April 2008. CPSC is aware of 13 additional incidents involving the recalled cribs collapsing due to the metal mattress- support frame bending or detaching, including one child entrapment that did not result in injury, and one child who suffered minor cuts to his head when his mattress collapsed and he fell out of the crib.

CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these cribs immediately and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Do not attempt to fix these cribs.

Due to the fact that Simplicity and its successor, SFCA Inc., are no longer in business, CPSC has limited information about the number of cribs sold. All Simplicity drop-side cribs have previously been recalled for a hazard involving the drop side. Simplicity drop-side cribs could still be in use by parents or caregivers who are unaware of the recalls or by those who received a repair kit to immobilize the drop side from Simplicity when the firm was still in business. This recall involves ALL Simplicity cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames regardless of model number.

Crib Name Model Number
All Simplicity Cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames regardless of model number Model numbers unknown
Some of the known model numbers include:
Aspen 4-in-1 8755
Chelsea Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System 8324
Graco 4-in-1 Ultra Sleep System 4600
Graco Aspen 3-in-1 8740
Simplicity Crib and Changer Combo 8994
Simplicity Ellis Deluxe 4-in-1 Convertible Sleep System 8676
Simplicity Nursery-in-a-Box Convertible Crib 8910

Some model numbers are followed by letters, indicating the color or finish of the crib. The name "Simplicity Inc." or "Simplicity for Children" appears on a label on the crib's mattress-support frame and/or the crib's end panels. The cribs were manufactured in China.

The recalled cribs were sold at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us and other stores nationwide for between $150 and $300. Consumers should contact the store where the crib was purchased to receive a refund, replacement crib or store credit.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Accomplishments

Well I have some wonderful news to share. I am very proud to say that this week I finished my Master's degree in Educational Technology. I also earned straight As! Very excited to be finished and get some free time back. Hopefully I'll be able to post a lot more now =)

One of the things (there are many) I've decided to do with my free time is learn how to knit! I'm working on teaching myself using a variety of resources. I started with a few Howcast videos.
"Howcast empowers people with engaging, useful how-to information wherever, whenever they need to know how. Known for high-quality content, Howcast streams tens of millions of videos every month across its multi-platform distribution network. For those who want to know while on the go, Howcast offers the #1 mobile platform for instructional content in the world with over one million downloads of its iPhone app, and recently launched its Google Android app to critical acclaim."

The iPhone app has been so helpful when I needed to be observant of my mischevious 18 month old, yet wanted to learn how to "cast on".

Also nice is the Lion Brand iPhone app. Although I'm still learning and not yet ready to make anything, it's a nice starting resource for FREE patterns!
I'm really looking forward to getting to the point where I can actually create something =)

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Tatefully Simple

I cannot believe I have not yet posted about Tastefully Simple!! I absolutely LOVE their products. If you don't know, Tastefully Simple is a home based business (like Tupperware) that sells easy to prepare food. All of their things only require 1-2 basic ingredients to be added and then you're cooking! It's SO wonderful. And, seriously, the food is SO yummy! Here are some of my top picks:

"Our signature bread mix is so simple to make - no kneading, no rising time, nothing to add but beer or any carbonated beverage. In a matter of minutes, your house will be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread. The perfect companion to our dips and soups. Kosher. (0g trans fat per serving)"







"Smooth, gooey warm dip with Cheddar cheese and a hint of chives. Just add cream cheese, heat gently, and enjoy with bread, crackers or chips. Also makes a deliciously cheesy topper for baked potatoes. Kosher. Each packet makes about 1 cup dip."




"Two flavor favorites come together! Just add mayonnaise and sour cream. Serve as a dip with chips and fresh veggies, or spread on chicken sandwiches, BLT wraps and grilled burgers. Also delicious stirred into crab or chicken salad for summer entertaining. Each packet makes about 1 cup dip."