Keeping the Castle

July 20th, 2008

When to Replace Pillows, Mattresses and More

MSNBC has recommendations on when to replace 14 common items. Here are the life spans of some of them:
Pillows - 1 year of nightly use. If you use pillow protectors, 2 years.
Mattresses - 5 to 7 years
Smoke Alarms - 10 years (batteries should be replaced yearly)
Vitamins - 2 years after purchase if there are no […]

By Maricar -- 0 comments

July 10th, 2008

Tomatoes, Jalapenos, and Cilantro Suspected in Salmonella Outbreak

I haven’t eaten a fresh tomato in weeks. Even though some types have been labeled safe to eat by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we decided it was safer to avoid eating tomatoes altogether for now. It’s sometimes hard for me to remember which tomatoes are safe and which are not.
In addition to […]

By Maricar -- 2 comments

June 26th, 2008

Cribs Recalled Due to Entrapment Hazard

Two manufacturers of baby cribs put out a recall this week for some of their products, due to entrapment and strangulation hazards.

* Jardine Enterprises announced a voluntary recall of more than 25 models of their cribs. The crib slats and spindles on these models can break, leaving gaps which pose strangulation and entrapment dangers […]

By Maricar -- 0 comments

June 16th, 2008

Product Recalls from the Past Week (6-16-08)

Here are the most recent products on the recall list of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

* Bosch Hammer Drills sold at Menards and other hardware retailers and industrial distributors from July 2007 through April 2008 for about $100. There is a risk of injury to users because the drill can continue to operate after […]

By Maricar -- 0 comments

June 5th, 2008

The Winner of the EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter

The winner of the second giveaway, the EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter, is…

Comment #32, and that’s:
JudyMay 29, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Just now putting up baby gates. need this.

Congratulations, Judy! I’ll email you for your contact information. Thanks, everyone, for joining!
Tags: baby gate, homemaking, homemaking blog, homemaking tips, house and home, housekeeping, housekeeping blog, housekeeping […]

By Maricar -- 0 comments

May 28th, 2008

Giveaway: EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter

If you need to install safety gates in your home for children or pets, but can’t because of your stairway banisters, this giveaway is for you!
The EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter, by ’boutKids,  provides a mounting surface for attaching pressure- or hardware-mounted safety gates to stairway posts. There is no drilling required, leaving your banisters […]

By Maricar -- 118 comments

April 30th, 2008

Use 3M Hooks for Window Blind Cords

I have another use for 3M Command Hooks. I’ve installed them on the sides of windows to have a place to wind the cords around. This keeps the cords well away from my kids hands, and so helps keep them safe. And, it can be removed anytime.
Make sure that the hooks are oriented in opposite […]

By Maricar -- 3 comments

April 5th, 2008

Product Recalls (3-5-08)

This list of recently recalled products include candle holders, water heaters, a deck cleaner, and a multi-purpose lock.
* Wal-Mart Recalls Candle Holders Due to Fire and Laceration Hazards
Name of Product: Holiday Times Candleholders

Hazard: The candle holders could tip over, posing a fire hazard. Also, the glass holder could […]

By Maricar -- 1 comment