First Alert “Home Safe Home” Kit Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Did you know that June is Home Safety Month?  In honor of Home Safety Month this June, First Alert® and The Lehigh Group are teaming with the Home Safety Council to educate consumers about potential home hazards. They have put together a “Home Safe Home kit” to ensure that your home is the safest home it can be.  Included in the kit are:

  • First Alert® Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray™
  • First Alert®  Radon Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Mold Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Lead Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Water Test Kit
  • Cordzilla by Secureline from The Lehigh Group

We didn’t have a fire extinguisher in our home before we received our kit (I know really stupid) and thankfully we haven’t had to use it yet.  We are looking at selling our house in the next couple of years and having the radon, mold, lead and water test kits will help us to make sure our house is safe and fit to resell.  I want to be sure that my family is living in the safest healthiest environment as possible.  Having the Home Safe Home kit will ensure that it is safe.

Buy It:

You can purchase First Alert and The Lehigh Group products at retailers nationwide.  To see a full list click here.

Win It:

One (1) lucky winner will receive a “Home Safe Home” kit of their own (ARV $100.00).

How to Enter:

Visit First Alert and tell me a product you would like to have at your home from their website.    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a First Alert “Home Safe Home” kit (ARV $100.00) @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/sbnyl (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
  • Like A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
  • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
  • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
  • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information. This giveaway will end at midnight on June 30. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Open to US and Canadian residents only.  Good Luck.

The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Keeping my son safe is the most important thing in my life.  Thinking about all the accidents that can happen have kept me up at night.  While I can protect him while he is at home, I don’t have total control over what will happen to him in the world.  That is why I want the safest car seat on the market for TJ to ride in.  I have been doing a lot of research over the past few months about the safest car seat for toddlers.  I am excited to introduce to you the recently awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 5-Star Ease of Use rating; The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat.

The First Years’ True Fit Premier Convertible Car Seat (C670) allows a parent to invest in only one seat; it grows with the child, and is the only convertible car seat in the U.S. to have a Rebound Energy Management™ Bar which provides additional protection in the unlikely event of a crash. This seat is used for infants up to 35 pounds in the rear-facing position and used in the forward-facing position for children over 22 pounds up to 65 pounds.  It features multi-position recline in both the forward and rear-facing positions; in fact, it’s the only convertible car seat that offers multiple recline positions in a rear facing installation. The True Fit Premier is also side-impact tested to international standards and has energy absorbing EPS Foam; extra padding and deep side wings for added protection.  Other features include easy rear facing installation with the removable headrest; an easy-off seat pad for quick and easy cleaning; and a an easy to adjust no-rethread 5-point harness  for use up to 65 lbs.

My husband had the privilege to install the car seat, seeing as how I wouldn’t have any idea what I was doing.  He struggled a bit with installing our last car seat rear facing so he was not really looking forward to the activity.  In spite of the lack of installation videos, he was able to successfully install the car seat with relative ease. He said that it was a lot easier than the other seat that we own.  I was impressed at how secure the car seat felt in the rear facing position, we didn’t even have to sacrifice a couple of towels this time!

One of the features that sets this car seat apart from the rest is the Rebound Energy Management system–a flip-up rebound bar that actually helps manage the rebound in the unlikely event of a crash. It is visible when the car seat is in the rear-facing position and it flips backs in the forward- facing position.

By far the most impressive feature of the car seat is the no-rethread, easy-to-adjust harness system.  If you have ever had to adjust the shoulder height in a car seat it normally consists of you having to take off the car seat cover, taking the straps out of the back of the car seat, adjusting the straps to a new height and then reinstall them.  Most of the time you have to take out the seat and then reinstall it to accomplish this.  With the no-rethread harness system you simply adjust the settings on either side of the car seat.  It is goof-proof even for me because it is clearly labeled with 4 different settings (rear-facing is labeled in blue and forward-facing positions are labeled in red).  This is a feature I hope all of the car seat manufacturers take notice of.

TJ loves his car seat.  He is able to get in and out of the seat with relative ease for a rear-facing car seat.  The seat is well padded and it looks like TJ is very comfortable.  He is in the rear-facing position (the safest position for children of his weight and height) and he is able to stay in that position until he is 35 pounds.  We can turn the seat around and use it until he is 65 pounds! The True Fit could potentially be the only car seat you will need for your child.

Highlights of the True Fit Premier Rebound C670:

  • Received five-star “Ease of Use” government rating from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
  • Features the Rebound Energy Management for use in rear-facing installation
  • Removable headrest for better rear-facing installation, can be used rear-facing with headrest for infants up to 35lbs.
  • Easy-to-read center angle indicator with two position settings
  • Easy adjust, no rethread harness for use to 65lbs.
  • Multi-position crotch strap adjustment
  • Easy-off pad snaps on and off with out rethreading harness
  • Color-coded belt paths for easy installation
  • Built-in lock offs for both rear- and forward-facing installation, external LATCH storage
  • Two-position recline for better installation
  • Deep side wings, side-impact tested to international standards
  • For use with children 5-65lbs and up to 50″ tall
  • Weight: 19lbs
  • I can be assured that my little man is safe and secure in his new True Fit Rebound Car Seat.  And now so can you….

    Buy It:

    You can purchase The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat for SRP: $269.99 from major retailers nationwide.  You can find the nearest store or an online retailer here.

    Win It:

    One (1) lucky winner will receive The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat of their very own!

    How to Enter:

    Visit The First Years and tell me another product you would like to try from their website.

    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

    Bonus Entries:

    • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat (ARV $269.99) @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/6mdaz (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
    • Follow The First Years on Twitter and Tweet: I entered to win The First Years True Fit Rebound Convertible Car Seat @amomsimpression http://wyn.cc/6mdaz (You may enter once, just leave one comment with the Tweet’s link)
    • Follow A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
    • Follow The First Years on Facebook
    • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
    • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
    • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
    • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

    Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
Open to US or Canadian residents only. This giveaway will end at midnight on June 20. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Good Luck!

    This product review was made possible by The First Years.  I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by the company or PR firm. All opinions are 100% mine.

    Ouchies Jr. Review and Giveaway CLOSED

    My favorite adhesive bandage is back with a new line of adorable bandages Ouchies Jr.  I learned about this company a few months ago when I reviewed the Ouchies line of adhesive bandages.  You can read my review here.

    The new Ouchies Jr. line features one of my all time favorite children’s literature characters, Olivia!  My niece loved the Olivia bandages.  When I gave them to her she immediately put one on her ouchy right between her eyes.  It was adorable, and would you believe it stayed put all night long?  Not bad for a four year old!

    Along with the Ouchie Jr Olivia style they have also introduced a style for little boys.  What boy wouldn’t want a Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown bandage on their knees?  My little guy is really into trucks right now so I am saving these adorable bandages for him when he needs them (with all of his toddling around I am sure that will be soon).  Here are the cute new bandages:

    Buy It:

    You can go to Ouchies Website to find a store near you who carries Ouchies Bandages or you can visit Ouchies online store to purchase your own pack.

    Win It:

    One (1) lucky winner will win a package with both the Olivia and the Trucktown tins of adhesive bandages from Ouchies.

    How to Enter:

    To enter visit Ouchies and tell me your favorite design. (You must complete this entry before any of the bonus entries)

    Bonus Entries:

    Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
This giveaway will end at midnight on May 10.
Good Luck!

    This product review was made possible by Ouchies.  I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample.  All opinions are 100% mine.

    aden + anais Slumber Bag Review

    I love aden + anais! I fell in love with their swaddling blankets and then found multiple products that have made aden + anais a household name (well, in our house anyways).  We had a great aden + anais bib until my dog loved it too much and we had to throw it away.  What is there to love?  All of their products are made from natural muslin, a product that gets softer and softer the more you wash it.  The breathable fabric is extremely durable and is ultra chic as well.

    aden + anais was founded by two Australian natives, Claudia Schwartz and Raegan Moya-Jones.  At home in Australia muslin baby wraps are traditional and are found in homes across the country.  The United States had yet to discover all the benefits that large muslin fabric swaddling blankets had to offer.  They created aden + anais to bring these products to America.

    aden + anais have teamed up with the CJ Foundation for SIDS to promote safe sleeping habits for infants. The CJ Foundation promotes 10 guidelines to reduce the risk of SIDS.  Here are the guidelines taken from their website:

    We don’t know what causes SIDS, so we cannot say how to “avoid” it, but we can provide you with the most up-to-minute guidelines for reducing the risk of SIDS and other sudden unexplained infant deaths (SUID). First and foremost, educate yourself and everyone who cares for your baby on how to reduce the risks by following these guidelines:
    1. Always lay your baby to sleep face up.
    Side and tummy positions are not safe; check with your doctor if your baby has breathing problems.
    2. Don’t smoke while pregnant and never smoke near your infant.
    While pregnant or considering pregnancy do not smoke. Never let others smoke near your baby. Smoking is a major risk factor for SIDS.
    3. Don’t let your baby get too hot.
    Overheating is a leading risk factor for SIDS. Dress your baby in as much or as little as you would wear. If your baby is sweating, has damp hair, or a heat rash, he or she may be too hot. Room fans have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. Consider using a wearable blanket or other type of sleeper instead of a blanket.
    4. Lay your baby to sleep in an approved crib, on a firm mattress.
    Do not let the baby sleep on soft things, like a couch, pillow, sheepskin, foam pad, or waterbed. Remove all loose bedding, stuffed animals, and pillows from crib. Crib bumpers are not recommended and can be hazardous.
    5. Create a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby.
    When pregnant, see your doctor often and do not use drugs or alcohol. Talk with your doctor about changes in your baby and how your baby acts.
    6. If possible, breast feed your baby.
    Breast feeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
    7. Offer your baby a pacifier at all sleep times.
    Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
    8. Put your baby on his or her tummy to play when your baby is awake and supervised.
    Make sure someone is always watching. “Tummy Time” is good for your baby because it makes neck and shoulder muscles stronger.
    9. Don’t share sleep surfaces.
    Adult beds, couches, and chairs are not safe for infant sleep and increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation and accidental infant death. After breast feeding put your baby back in his or her crib.
    10. Share these tips with everyone who cares for your baby.
    Education is the key to keeping your baby safe.

    Safety is the number one priority for me.  I want to keep my baby as safe as I possibly can.  We never leave blankets in the crib, and we have replaced our bumper with a breathable bumper to further reduce the risk of SIDS. I was really excited to receive and promote aden + anais’ slumber bag, a muslin breathable sleeping bag that replaces loose blankets for a safer sleep.  We received a size large (which is plenty roomy) for our 1 year old in a very cute elephant print.  I love the safe alternative to loose blankets. I can rest assured knowing that BJ is safe in his crib warm, but not too warm.  The fabric is amazing.  At first when you take the product out of the box it seems a little stiff and scratchy, but when you wash it for the first time you see a remarkable difference.  It gets softer and softer with each wash.

    I personally have girlfriends who have lost babies to SIDS and can not imagine what that would be like for a parent.  I appreciate aden + anais promoting safe sleeping and allowing me to promote and review their products.  Please educate yourself on healthy sleeping habits for your babies, and give them a little extra squeeze tonight!

    Buy it:

    You can purchase aden + anais products on their website here.

    For purposes of this review, I was sent a slumber bag from aden + anais free of charge.  This review is my honest opinion and is not influenced by any other source.

    Safety 1st Complete Air™ Convertible Car Seat (Review and Giveaway) CLOSED

    I have spent the last few months looking at convertible car seats for BJ.  He is rapidly outgrowing his infant seat and we are going to have to move him into a “big boy” car seat.  The most important factor for us when selecting a car seat is safety.  I want the safest car seat on the market for my little man.  I am already paranoid being a first time mom, so I want to know that if anything happens my little guy is as safe as he possibly can be sitting in his seat.

    In my research I learned a lot about car seat safety and a lot of alarming car crash statistics. In the past 20 years side impact  crash fatalities have increased by 20%.

    (Taken from Safety 1st website)

    So, how can parents protect their child from side impact collisions? Safety 1st has designed a unique car seat that provides better side impact protection than the average car seat.  The Complete Air Convertible Car Seat is a unique car seat that protects your child’s head.  Here is a short description from their website:

    Air Protect™ Technology has been designed to defend against the biggest threat to children on the road today; side impact collisions.  Side impact are by far the deadliest type of collision for children, accounting for one in three child fatalities; nearly all of which are caused by head trauma.  The placement of Air Protect™ Technology on the car seat diverts crash forces away from a child’s head, the most vulnerable place in a side impact crash.

    We recently received a Complete Air Convertible Car Seat from Safety 1st for our review.  I was so excited to see the box arrive from the FedEx man.  The box became a big hit with BJ.  He has been playing with it ever since it came.

    We read through the instruction manual and began the installation process.  We appreciate that the seat is a convertible because we still need it to be rear-facing for a few more months until BJ is older (it fits rear facing from 5-40 lbs and forward facing 22-50 lbs).  Installing the car seat in the rear facing position was difficult at first.  We actually had to go to the installation videos on Safety 1st’s website in order to install it correctly.  The video was wonderful and I highly recommend viewing the videos before attempting to install the car seat. A word to the wise on installing rear facing, you might need a rolled up towel to stick under the front of the seat in order to get it to level out correctly.

    BJ loves his new seat.  He looks very comfortable riding rear facing and he has plenty of leg room.  I was a little worried about the head flaps (that cushion his head with air) restricting his view, but he doesn’t seem to mind.  We can easily strap him into the seat and adjusting the harness is extremely easy thanks to the QuickFit Harness System  that adjusts the harness height from the front in one easy step without uninstalling from the car. The seat also comes with a detachable cup holder for BJ when he is a little older.

    Overall we thought that the car seat was a little difficult to install rear facing but easier after watching the installation videos.  In spite of the one negative, we love this car seat. It looks great, BJ looks comfortable, and best of all I feel like I have my son in the safest car seat on the market.  A Mom’s peace of mind is priceless.

    Buy It:

    You can purchase your own Safety 1st Complete Air Convertible Car Seat from Babies”R”Us, Target, Walmart, Sears, and other retailers for MSRP $219.99.

    Win It:

    One (1) lucky AMI reader will win a Safety 1st Convertible Air Car Seat of their own!

    How to Enter:

    Visit Safety 1st and tell me another product you would like to try from their website.

    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

    Bonus Entries:

    • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a Safety 1st Convertible Car Seat @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/v2gr9 (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
    • Follow A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
    • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
    • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
    • Grab my Car Seat Giveaway Button and post it on your blog.
    • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
    • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

    Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
Open to US residents only. This giveaway will end at midnight on May 15. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Good Luck!

    This product review was made possible by Safety 1st  I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Safety 1st. All opinions are 100% mine.

    Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer – Review & Giveaway (2 Winners) CLOSED

    My biggest fear as a new mom is being able to tell if my son is sick or not. I prepared myself for motherhood by reading about parenting from the “experts”.  As any mom can tell you, reading about and actually experiencing parenthood are two very different things.  I was so anxious, at the beginning, about every sound BJ made.  Is he hurt?  Is he sick? Is he hungry?  Luckily for mom BJ has been a relatively healthy baby (minus all the skin issues).  The nurse at the hospital taught us how to take BJ’s temperature using two different methods, under the arm and rectally.  I was okay with the underarm method, but I really didn’t want to ever have to take BJ’s temperature rectally.  Well now I don’t have to!  There is a “kinder, gentler and more exact thermometer” available on the market that captures your temperature by running it across the forehead, and I am very excited to post a review on it.

    The Exergen TemporalScanner is the world’s first and only infrared thermometer that measures your body temperature by taking a reading from the temporal artery found on your forehead. When you run the Temporal Thermometer across the forehead the thermometer takes 1,000 reading per second, selects the most accurate and displays it digitally. It does this in just two seconds! Can you say it is less invasive than the old rectal way?  There is no more waiting with a digital thermometer under your child’s arm, or in your mouth, waiting for the beep.  I hate sitting still with a thermometer under my tongue waiting to find out if I have a high temperature or not.  This is much easier, and faster!

    Here are some FAQ from Exergen’s website that I found very useful:

    What does the TemporalScanner measure?

    With a gentle stroke of the forehead it captures the naturally emitted heat from the skin over the temporal artery, taking 1,000 readings per second, selecting the most accurate. With its patented Arterial Heat Balance system the TemporalScanner measures ambient temperatures, mathematically replaces the small temperature loss from cooling at the skin, and displays an accurate arterial temperature.

    Why is it more accurate than measuring ear temperature?

    A major reason ear thermometers are considered inaccurate by medical professionals is because the positioning of the probe in the ear canal is inconsistent, thus creating inconsistent readings and frequently missing fevers. The temporal artery thermometer scans the forehead area for the temporal artery and it is almost impossible to miss the artery during a scan. Also, the person whose temperature is being taken does not like something inserted in their ear, making good positioning even more difficult. The gentle scan across the forehead is comfortable and not objectionable. The TemporalScanner has been proven more accurate than ear thermometers by a Harvard Medical School study.

    Our Experience

    The TemporalScanner came to our house at a really useful time.  BJ has been suffering from a cold and I think he is getting his top teeth in.  The first couple of times I used the  TemporalScanner was a learning experience.  It takes some practice to figure out how to use it. After practicing on myself, my husband, the dog, and finally BJ I felt very confident in using the product (I actually love using it, I had a lot of fun. The dog didn’t appreciate my excitement, or the scan of his forehead). A little advice, take the cap off of the TemporalScanner before you use it (I know..duh, but I was so excited to try it out). BJ was a little afraid of the TemporalScanner the first time I used it on him.  He got used to it and now he loves it when mommy takes his temperature. I love that this product is environmentally friendly by using infrared technology instead of mercury. Overall, this is one of my favorite products that I have in my house. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an accurate thermometer for their family.

    Buy It:

    You can purchase the Exergen TemporalScanner at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Costco, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, and Sam’s Clubs nationwide. Contact Exergen for additional store near you.

    Win It:

    Two (2) lucky winners will each receive an Exergen TemporalScanner thermometer of their own!

    How to Enter:

    Visit Exergen and tell me something you learned about the TemporalScanner.

    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

    Bonus Entries:

    • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win an Exergen TemporalScanner Thermometer@AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/eira6 (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
    • Follow A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
    • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
    • Grab my new Button and post it on your blog.
    • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)

    Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
Open to US residents only. This giveaway will end at midnight on April 15. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Good Luck!

    I received a TemporalScanner from Exergen to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

    My Precious Kid Review and Giveaway (Closed)

    I love to travel.  I don’t get to do it much, but when I do I love it!  One obstacle in traveling with an infant is all the stuff you have to bring with you.  How can someone so small need so much stuff?  On our most recent trip I cut as many corners as possible (I wanted to avoid as many baggage fees that I could).  What could I leave behind, and what things could we not live without for a week?  We lucked out when it came to feeding supplies.  Before we left on our trip I received a My Little Seat Portable High Chair from My Precious Kid to review.  This little product was a lifesaver during our trip!

    My Precious Kid is an online store specializing in child safety products and baby gear designed to help keep children safe.  My Precious Kid carries over 150 products including ID cards, safe feeding supplies, car seats, and much more.  The idea for My Precious Kid came about when a mom needed IDs for her homeschooled children.  She came up with the idea of putting together child ID kits that include IDs, DNA fingerprinting, car seat tags, medical release tags, and other products to keep your child safe.  

    BJ and I received the My Little Seat Portable High Chair to review and we love it.  This little seat kept BJ safe during meals on our trip.  The My Little Seat is a fabric high chair designed to go over the back of a normal chair.  Your child is then secured in the chair by a 5 point harness system.  This seat is designed for children who can sit unassisted and are 6 months old.  A great feature of this product is that it folds up into its own little carry bag and is very small and portable making it ideal for travel.  BJ loved sitting in his seat and I felt very comfortable that he was going to be safe sitting in it.  I highly recommend this product for any family who travels a lot.  

    Buy It:  You can buy child safety products  from My Precious Kid here. 

    Win It:  

    My Precious Kid is offering a lucky reader a $20 Gift Card.

    How to Enter:

    To enter visit My Precious Kid  and tell me what you will spend your gift card on if you are the lucky winner. (You must complete this entry before any of the bonus entries, don’t forget to leave a comment)

    Bonus Entries:

    • What is your must have child safety products?
    • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a $20 Gift Card from My Precious Kid@AMomsImpression http://wp.me/pFQZQ-8S
      (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
    • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
    • Grab my Button and post it on your blog
    • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)

    Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
This giveaway will end at midnight on February 7.
Good Luck!

    For purposes of this review, I was sent a My Little Seat free of charge.  This review is my honest opinion and is not influenced by any other source.