December 19, 2011
Guest Blogger: ConsumerBell
Please visit us at: http://blog.consumerbell.com
Helping your Baby’s Brain to Grow: What Should Parents Invest In?
In the first year of a baby’s life, his or her brain doubles in volume reaching about 60% of its adult size.This first year is an important one in stimulating and growing your child’s brain. There are so many little things parents can do to help support their baby’s development.
Parents can work to enhance several types of intelligence, including social, linguistic, spatial and numeric. The most important tool, however, is parent interaction. Babies need motivation from their parent’s presence to flex their intellect. They lack the incentive to solve a puzzle or build a structure when left alone. But if the parent is nearby, the child will be motivated to solve the problem to gain their approval. The best thing to do for you child is simply spend time with him or her!
There are many different opinions on the benefit of investing in educational toys and programs for children. A quick scan of a some mommy blogs shows how big the debate is on both ends about paying for early education, toys, and much more. From DVD sets costing hundreds of dollars to preschools costing thousands for just one year, corporations have tapped into a huge market the plays on parents’ guilt. If they don’t throw down the bucks, they aren’t giving their child EVERY opportunity and parents feel they are holding their child back.
However, there is no research to back up the benefit of these expensive toys and DVDs. Studies haveshown, however, that there is no benefit to intelligence-building programming under the age of three. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends zero screen time for children under the age of two.
There are benefits to some baby toys, however. Focus on toys that stimulate sight, sound,and tactile movements. For example, baby mobiles, rattles, playmats, stacking rings, and soft building blocks.
Despite the lack of research backing up the benefit of baby toys, last year, themarket for children’s goods, which includes everything from stuffed bears to changing tables, increased by 5 percent in 2010, to $18 billion, according to market research.
One of parent’s biggest concerns, however, is the high numbers of recalled children’s toys. Frequently check in to ConsumerBell’s marketplaceto make sure your child’s new favorite toy isn’t a safety hazard, like last month’s Toulouse-LapTrec Magnetic Sketchboards by Battat.
What are you thoughts on educational toys? Do you see a value to them, or is it just an easy way to get parents to spend money? Give us your opinion in the comments below or email us at info@consumerbell.com.
November 11, 2011
October 31, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2011
Release #12-022
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (855) 738-3711
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Bad Boy Buggies Recalled by BB Buggies Due to Loss of Steering Control and Crash Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Bad Boy Buggies off-road utility vehicles
Units: About 3,200 (Bad Boy Classic buggies were previously recalled in October 2009 and in December 2010)
Manufacturer: BB Buggies Inc., of Augusta, Ga. and Bad Boy Enterprises LLC, of Natchez, Miss.
Hazard: The steering assembly arm can break and cause the driver to lose control, posing a crash hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of the steering assembly arm breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Bad Boy LT, Classic, XT, XTO and XT Safari model electric off-road utility vehicles. The utility vehicles have four wheels, bench seats for the operator and passengers and were sold in camouflage patterns, hunter green, red and black. “Bad Boy” is printed on the side or front of the vehicles.
Sold at: Bad Boy Buggy dealers nationwide from August 2009 through June 2011 for between $7,000 and $15,000.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact an authorized dealer or BB Buggies for a free replacement of the steering assembly.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact BB Buggies toll-free at (855) 738-3711 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET or visit the firm’s website at www.badboybuggies.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12022.html
September 19, 2011
We are so excited to finally launch our Baby Safe Childproofing Service Blog!
September means that this is “Baby Safety Month.” According to the Home Safety Council, the numbers are alarming, there are, on average, nearly
20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year. It’s because of these statistics we, at Baby Safe have a passion and are on a mission to help people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes.
Our blog will provide regular updates on a variety of topics, such as, baby gates, fireplace gates, plexiglas for fireplaces, balcony safety and stairways safety, too. We can’t forget the obvious, electrical outlet covers, child proofing doors, stairs, ovens and cabinets, recalls and important breaking news, too. We will explain the differences, the where’s, why’s and how to use these products. We will also discuss the toxins in and around homes, health and wellness topics, and much more! We know it’s not possible to eliminate all of these injuries, but we can prevent most of them.
For more information on related topics, please follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook. Also, visit our website for the latest in Baby News; to share this information with loved ones.
Bookmark this blog and visit us often and spread the word and tell a friend.
Ask us about our American Heart Association CPR training program!
