Nov

28

Lullaby Organics Cyber Monday Giveaway!

Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, PVC Free, Toy Safety | 141 Comments

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    It’s no secret that I love Lullaby Organics or that I love to support small businesses when possible.  So when I was invited to participate in Lullaby Organics 12 Days of Holi-Daily Deals I was totally on board!  Starting on November 25th and ending on December 6th, they will have a deal of the day and offer you big discounts on safe products.  You can find out which bloggers are revealing the Deal of the Day by following Lullaby Organics on Facebook or visit their website.

    Lullaby Organics Daily Deal for November 28: All Green Sprouts Bath Toys and Grooming Items are 30% off!  Plus you can use our coupon code SAFEMAMA for an additional 10% off. I have written about bath toys before and while you should look for toys that are not made with PVC, you should also loo for bath toys that can be cleaned inside and out.  Many bath squirties and duck toys can harbor dangerous bacteria (and other gross stuff ew).  I love to give my kids cups like the Green Sprouts Stacking Ducks.  They can pour and measure water or bubbles and my kids pretend to cook with them too.  I’m not sure why cups are so entertaining to kids but they are!  They are adorable duck shaped stacking cups that feature holes to play with water while it drains out.  All of Green Sprouts bath toys re made with safe materials and NO PVC.

    Green Sprouts has also tackled the tub mat issue by creating bath mats made of natural rubber with suction cups on the bottom.  This set comes with 5 whale shaped tub mini mats that you can stick all over your tub floor. The textured surface prevents slips.  Green Sprouts ensures their toys and products are all free of PVC, BPA and Nitrosmines so your little ones can be safe.

    Green Sprouts toys are a great choice when searching for safer toys and I do think these would make great little gifts for those adorable little ones in your life.

    Giveaway Time!

    One reader will take home a set of Green Sprouts Bath Toys from Lullaby Organics!  The set will include the Green Sprouts Stacking Ducks, a 5-pack Mini Bath Mats Set,  a set of their Sea Life Bath Friends to stick all over the tub, AND a full size 100% rubber bath mat.  That’s a $43 prize!  Thank you Lullaby Organics!

    Here’s How To Enter (Required):

    Visit Lullaby Organics and tell me in the comments what you found there that would be a great gift for someone over the holidays!

    For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

    • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Fan/Like  Lullaby Organics on Facebook (first name, last initial)
    • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Follow @LullabyOrganics on Twitter (Twitter name)
    • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): Check out @lullabyorganics 12 Days of Holi-daily Deals and #Giveaways! Win Green Sprouts bath toys from @SafeMama http://tinyurl.com/cfwtrxt

    One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Open to US readers!  Entries will be accepted until Dec 13, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

    Congratulations commenter #53 Jenny!

    Sep

    22

    EnviroKid PVC & Phthalate Free Nap Mats & Bean Bag Loungers

    Filed Under Product Reviews, PVC Free | 87 Comments

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      A long time ago, a reader emailed me asking about bean bag chairs and what they are filled with.  At the time I didn’t have a good answer for her.  It seemed that most were filled with either polystyrene or flame retardant treated foam bits** See NOTE below **.  And that was just the inside.  But recently I was introduced to a line of bean bag loungers made for kids that solves the problem.

      My 2 year old, lounging on the EnviroKid Nap Mat

      EnviroKid specializes in stuffed pillows, nap mats and bean bag loungers that are safe for kids (and everyone else).  The mats and loungers are filled with olefin foam beads (instead of polystyrene) which provide a cushiony feel and mold to your child’s body.  In fact when I first received the test sample I was dismayed at the sight of it.  It had molded itself to the shape of the box.  But after a little rough and tumble with the boys is was a smushy and more flat pillow that they enjoy laying on.  The outer cover is made of EnviroLeather which is a PVC-Free Synthetic Leather.  What I like about it is that it’s easy to clean and wipe off.  My youngest spilled water on it, wiped up no problem.  Snack crumb slide right off. (My carpet on the other hand has not stood up to the kids as well).  EnviroLeather is free of PVC, pthalates, and heavy metals and is made with recycled and renewable content.  I can feel better about that.

      They come in a Cushion size, a Nap Mat and a Bean Bag Lounger which is the largest.  My kids have been laying around on the Nap Mat for a few weeks and they actually fight over who gets to lay on it.  It did seem a bit stiff at first but once we used it made more sense.  I do wish they had a removable fabric cover so that it doesn’t feel cold when you use it but that’s just splitting hairs at that point. I think it could stand to be filled more, but perhaps that detracts from it’s ability to mold to the child.  They do seem pretty comfy on it.

      *NOTE: It has come to my attention that indeed these do employ the use of halogen flame retardants on the interior beads.  Therefore I need to retract my endorsement of the product and shut down the giveaway (I’ll make it up to those who entered with another one).  My apologies for this oversight. I make mistakes sometimes, I’m human.  But I am NOT afraid to admit it when I do.  I hope this hasn’t caused anyone any inconveniences. – Kathy

      Aug

      10

      New Cheat Sheets for Back to School

      Filed Under Food Safety, PVC Free | 4 Comments

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        Hi all!  I know some of us are already back IN school this week but I’ve put up a new version of the Safer Lunch Gear cheat sheet this morning which was revised somewhat from last year’s.  I removed a thing or two and added some new brands.  There are tons of great reusable (and toxin free) lunch systems on the market now in a variety of price points so I think there is something in there for everyone.

        Since many people expressed a desire to find a safe backpack I separated backpacks out into their own Safer Backpacks cheat sheet.  My requirements are the same for backpacks as they are for lunch gear.

        A thing to note about making selections when it comes to supplies and gear for kids.  Choosing a product is tough sometimes and while I only list products that the companies claim to be PVC, Lead and Phthalate free – it is a matter of trust too.  Some companies hide behind a broad “meets the standards” statement and other sing it loud and proud that they are completely free of toxins and have ethical practices.  It’s up to us as consumers to put our money where we think it’s best deserved.

        I always wonder why I have to go digging within a company hotline or live chat to find out that the product is safe from lead or PVC.  If it is like they say, why not boast it right in the product description page like the small businesses that take care to avoid those things for us? Why make it so hard for us to find out?  In cases of the bigger vendors I noticed that the customer service reps were a little non-chalant about their answers.. “Yeah sure it’s free of all that stuff” or in some cases they’d tell me yes they were free of lead, phthalates, etc but couldn’t cough up any solid information about 3rd party testing.  So keep that in mind when making selections.

        Some things should be seen as an investment.  I’m on a budget too but you can be budget conscious while supporting the companies that really care.

        You can find these cheat sheets and all the other cheat sheets I have available in the CHEAT SHEET section of the website.  There is a link up top to direct you to the master list.  As always, I am happy to hear from you and if you think I missed a brand worthy of the SafeMama stamp of approval, please feel free to let me know.

        Apr

        6

        PVC Free Rain Gear by PuddleGear (Giveaway)

        Filed Under Product Reviews, PVC Free | 89 Comments

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          It’s rainy season! I’ve covered safer rain gear before and since it is actually raining today, I thought it was appropriate to write about it! Puddlegear is owned and run by a husband and wife team who really stand behind the product.  All their rain gear is totally PVC and Phthalate Free and instead coated with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric.  It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material and is wind and watertight. When this particular Polyurethane is in its fully expanded state it is an “inert chemical”,  meaning that it has no off gassing left to do.  Atek is fully expanded- and tested to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.

          My youngest in his Puddlegear after a little rainstorm

          Their products are all tested and certified by Oeko-Tex. Oeko-Tex is a certification process that tests for over 100 harmful chemicals.  It’s just a raincoat you say? Not so! Many raincoats and rain gear manufactured today is made of toxic vinyl (PVC) which can contain dioxins which cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive system. Not to mention most PVC uses phthalates to soften the material which is a known hormone disruptor.  And let’s not even go in to the other toxins like chlorine or mercury. It’s unnecessary and avoidable.

          "I am dry, Mom!" My oldest in his Puddlegear on the way to school

          Puddlegear sent my sons their Albin jacket to try out.  These jackets fit well with room to grow so your investment will not be for naught.  They will be in use for years and handed down.  They are very light, which surprised me.  I half expected to feel the heavy weight of a vinyl like material (like most raincoats) but its super light and thin so there is no risk of overheating.  They have removable hoods and you can also purchase coordinating pants if you live in really wet areas or do a lot of wet activities, or just like to let the kids romp in the rain.  There is absolutely no smell and they are soft to the touch, yet durable enough to endure a 5 year old.

          The fit is generous so you can actually layer clothing underneath if it’s cold, and light enough to wear on it’s own if it’s warm.  This also lends itself to the life of the items… they can be used for years without getting too tight.  They pair perfectly with Puddlegear’s Jesper Pants that feature boot straps and adjustable suspenders to ensure the right fit. Your little one can splash in puddles all day in that get up.

          Get Puddlegear: You can order any Puddlegear jackets, pants, mittens, hats, etc by phone or email which you can find on Puddlegear.com.  They can assist you with sizes too.  You can find Puddlegear at these retailers as well.

          Win Them!

          Puddlegear is giving away a pair of PVC free Jesper Pants to a lucky SafeMama reader!

          Here’s How To Enter (Required):

          Visit Puddlegear.com and tell me what items appeal to you!  This step is required to enter the giveaway.

          For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

          • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Follow @PuddleGear on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
          • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
          • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a pair of PVC Free Jesper Rain Pants by @PuddleGearAlex on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 4/13 http://tinyurl.com/6y9h4k9

          One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until April 13, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

          Congratulations commenter #89, Debra! Thank you to all who entered and to Puddlegear for the great giveaway.

          Dec

          15

          Innobaby BPA & PVC Free Food Storage Options (Giveaway)

          Filed Under Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews, PVC Free | 99 Comments

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            I was introduced to Innobaby products a while back from The Glass Baby Bottle and then ventured over to their website where I found they’re really cute stainless steel divided dinner platter called Din Din SMART. Since then I’ve checked out their products and received some samples to check out.  Innobaby does a really good job of anticipating the needs of new mothers and moms “on-the-go” which lets face it – we all are. While it’s true that there are a few items that are not BPA Free All of their products are now BPA Free and have many options available to you in terms of safer plastics, glass and coming soon, more stainless steel options for food storage.

            For review I received a Packin’ Smart BPA Free stackable containers which at first glance I thought “How can this even work?”. But it does.  Each container easily fits dry snacks, powdered formula or cereal for a day out and about. I filled mine mostly with dry snacks and cereal for my 16 month old but you could easily fit a servings worth of formula or baby cereal in these.  Each container snaps into the next one creating a seal.  To remove a specific section you grip the sides of the section you want to open and squeeze two tabs to remove the top portion.  The rest stay sealed and you are free to pour or dump out the contents of the desired section.  Snap it back on and it all stays neat and tidy in your bag.  No spills. This would be great also for moms using formula.  I’ve only seen a couple of formula dispensers and they typically only have 3 spaces for bottle servings.  The Packin’ Smart would provide enough for 5.

            I also received a set of their Keepin’ Fresh glass baby food storage containers. These are freezer, oven, dishwasher and microwave safe and are prefect for bringing that homemade baby food to Grandma’s house.  You go through the trouble of making your own… you don’t want to yuck it up with bad packaging materials. Glass is the perfect option for this, no leeching, and is really useful for re-heating.  They come in a 2-pack and are the perfect size for portions. (150 ml).  I ended up using them to pack fruit for my kids while out holiday shopping. Better than having to stop and buy some junk food to snack on!  Are these “I’ll die without them” items? No, most stuff isn’t but they are truly “nice to have”  products that might make your life a little easier while running between errands with the kids. The items I mention are all BPA, PVC, Lead and Phthalate free.

            Get Your Own: You can purchase these and other items at their online store Innobaby.com! (Be sure the items you purchase are marked BPA Free).

            WIN IT!

            One SafeMama reader will receive a Packin’ Smart BPA Free stackable container set and a set of Keepin’ Fresh glass baby food storage containers!

            Here’s How To Enter:

            Visit Innobaby and tell me what other item they sell would make your life a little easier!

            For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):

            • Follow @Innobaby on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
            • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
            • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN #BPA free food storage on @SafeMama from @Innobaby! #giveaway ends 12/21 http://tinyurl.com/388te6n

            One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until December 21, 2010 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! :D

            Congratulations commenter #21 Becky!

            Sep

            14

            Baby Proofing with Rhoost (Giveaway)

            Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Healthy Home, Product Reviews, PVC Free | 55 Comments

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              I baby proofed my home with my first son and never had too much trouble with him getting into dangerous places.  He was content enough to hurt himself on the plain old driveway more than anything else.  With my second however, it’s a totally different story.  He gets into everything, touches everything and pays attention to what my first child never bothered with, like light sockets, wires, cabinets and child locks.  He actually figured out how to wedge his chubby little hand through a child-locked cabinet under the sink and pull out the one small bottle of cleaner that would fit through the hole. He’s like a baby magician.

              So when I discovered his admiration for adventure I baby proofed the house as well as I possibly could.  Even f it meant using packing tape and bubble wrap. I learned about Rhoost a while ago and then they were one of our great sponsors at the Green Soiree in August. Rhoost is a really innovative company who has finally incorporated style into baby proofing materials. Gone are the days of big ugly cabinet locks.  We now don’t have to look like a day care center in here… instead we can be child proofed and maintain the look of a adult stylish home (well aside from the toys all over the place).

              One area that always worried me is our TV cabinet. It’s one of those double door things that fold back to reveal the TV.  Only the doors don’t push all the way inside the cabinet (probably because we bought it cheap and that’s the consequence).  This causes a sharp door corner to jut out in a prime location that the kids always seem to be within head smacking distance.  When my oldest was little I bought these big ugly foam corner protectors and stuck them on.  Of course, you know this story, they got pulled off and then the sticky part got less sticky and they never stayed on.

              When daredevil #2 was born I pulled those same corner protectors out and well, this is what they looked like after the kids pulled them off and the tape and then I went bezerk:

              Before: Notice the multiple layers of packing tape since one layer was peeled off by the baby.

              Then I got some Rhoost samples in the mail including their corner protector Edge. The beauty of Edge is that it will fit on just about every exposed corner you might have.  Of course it’ll fit on table corners and whatnot but as evidence of my obscure cabinet corner problem, it worked perfectly there too.  Here is my hideous cabinet corner after meeting Rhoost’s Edge:

              After: Ahhhh Much better after Rhoost's Edge corner protector.

              Rhoosts products are made with BPA / PVC / Phthalate free materials (and they’re recyclable!).  In addition to their really useful Edge piece they offer a cabinet lock called Sling.  Here is my personal before and after … you can see how little you even notice it:

              Before Rhoost Sling

              Ahhhh After Rhoost Sling

              Get Rhoost!

              You can purchase any of their great products, including their new Rhoost DECOY Outlet Covers right on their website Rhoost.com.  Use code “GREEN10″ for 10% off at Rhoost.com until 12/31/10 (Coupon is working now! )

              Win It!

              I’m giving away a pack of 4 Rhoost EDGE Table Corner Protectors to TWO SafeMama readers.

              To Enter the Giveaway (Required):

              Visit Rhoost and check out their selection of products… Leave a comment here telling me how a Rhoost product would solve a particularly ugly child proofing system you have in place now.

              For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):

              • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
              • Share this giveaway on Facebook (first name and last initial)
              • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name and last initial)
              • Fan/Like  Rhoost on Facebook
              • Follow @rhoosting on Twitter
              • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter
              • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  #WIN a 4-Pack of Rhoost Edge corner protectors from @SafeMama #giveaway ends 9/22 http://tinyurl.com/349crh6

              Two winners will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until September 22, 2010 at midnight EST. Good Luck :D

              Congratulations to commenters #55 Cathy and #10 Amber for winning the Rhoost Edge giveaway.  Thanks everyone who entered!

              Aug

              24

              FAQ: Safe Play Room Flooring: What’s Best?

              Filed Under Healthy Home, Product Safety, PVC Free | 15 Comments

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                I get an email about those foam puzzle piece mats about once a week.  If you have emailed me recently about it and I didn’t respond it’s because I have been rolling this one around in my brain for a while and I don’t have a “best” case scenario to offer you.  But what I can do is talk about what they are made of and whether that fits into your definition of “safe”.  I will also provide some alternative suggestions in a variety of price points.

                In general, MOST foam play flooring / mats are made with a material called EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) which is a foam rubber compound.  For a while now it has been viewed as a healthier alternative to PVC and the process of making it excludes the use of chlorine which can produce carcinogenic compounds called dioxins.  This is part of why PVC is something to avoid.  Healthy Child Healthy World discussed EVA in an article back in October of 2008, giving EVA the thumbs up as an alternative.

                Despite the fact that EVA foam does emit an “off-gassing” type smell, I cannot find information to disprove EVA’s safety as a material for use with children.  Now, this doesn’t mean I am recommending you run out and buy them. There are three things to consider, I’ve discovered in my investigating:

                1. PVC/Phthalates? Some companies who make these foam mats for kids will only go so far as to say that their product “meets the ASTM standards (American Standards for Toy Manufacturing) and are phthalate compliant.”  Step2 told one of our readers that “Some components that are used with our ‘Playmats’ may contain small traces of pvc.“  I don’t know if that means accessories or components of the mats themselves. But they will not go so far as to say they are phthalate free. I will be following up with them on this as soon as I get a moment to hop on the phone.
                2. Microban. I’ve found a few brands of these play mats that boast they use Microban.  Let’s not forget my position on the use of Microban and the extreme disillusion it creates for parents and caregivers.  Microban does not protect your child from germs or illnesses, it protects the product from mildew and discoloration.  Microban also does not disclose what its made of so the possibility of its use of Triclosan is a possibility.  You can decide whether you want to avoid it or not.
                3. Flame Retardants. Many of the EVA Foam flooring companies use EVA foam that has been treated with flame retardants.  Some have and some haven’t… this is where the information gets a little sketchy and I’m still trying to determine if it’s an issue for all EVA foam matting.  There is some suggestion that EVA Foam in its original state is inherently flame resistant.  What I can’t determine is whether the foam is treated in addition to that.  On the plus side, when EVA foam does burn it doesn’t have the same toxicity as PVC – no chlorine, dioxins, etc.  I’m still looking into this part.

                So there you go.  I do believe EVA foam can be recycled and reused but it may be very tricky to find a place to bring it who’ll take it for recycling.  From an environmental standpoint, EVA isn’t going to save the planet.   So this one is up to you.

                What Products Are Safe?

                This is where your judgment as a consumer and a parent will come in to play.  I’ll provide you with a list of brands that I feel are acceptable as far as safety goes and I’ll give you a few more eco-friendly suggestions if that’s the direction you wish to go.

                EVA Foam Options

                • Skip Hop Playspot Interlocking Foam Tiles – These claim to be PVC, Phthalate and BPA free and made of EVA.  They are cute, colorful and moderately stylish compared to most but they do come at a higher price.
                • One Step Ahead Wood Floor Foam Mats – According to One Step Ahead these are PVC and Phthalate free.  They look cool… but they do mention the off-gassing smell that I worry about.  They say in the description “Don’t worry its safe, we tested it” but we have all heard that before.  They make the traditional alphabet puzzle mats too. (Note: I emailed One Step Ahead to confirm the lack of PVC/Phthalates and was told that “Yes, the item meets all US Federal Laws and regulations and has passed all testing. and Yes they are free of PVC and Phthalates.“)
                • Soft Tiles Interlocking Foam Floor Mats – Made of EVA and website claims they do not use any phthalates or BPA.

                Alternative Options

                • Wool Rugs – Wool is a safe choice (if you don’t have allergies to it) and eliminates the potential for off gassing carpet materials and padding.
                • FLOR Carpet Tiles – These are modular carpet tiles so its not permanent and you can move it when you need to.  They have stylish colors and patterns.  FLOR carpet tiles are made with renewable and recycled content and are recyclable.
                • Skip It – Save yourself some money and just properly child proof your home. Rhoost your sharp corners and gate off areas that are unsafe for baby and toddlers.  I’ve got 2 boys and never used any type of floor padding other than the area rugs we already have.  They get hurt more outside than anywhere else!

                Have something to add? Tip? Let me know in the comments or via safemama [at] gmail.com!

                Aug

                4

                Cheat Sheet: Safer & Eco-Friendly Lunch Gear

                Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Food Safety, PVC Free | 13 Comments

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                  A while back we did a quick write up of safer alternatives to lunch boxes when all that “lead in lunchboxes” hoopla went down.  Since then there are so many great alternatives to lunch boxes available that it totally warrants a new cheat sheet. Lunchboxes are perfect for little and big kids and help reduce waste that’s clogging up our environment.  Whether stainless steel, canvas or recyclable plastic is your thing – there is a lunch system for you.  No matter what age.  Note: This is not a comprehensive list – if you think a brand should be on here please let us know and we’ll verify it! (Last Updated July 8, 2011)

                  Lunch Boxes, Bags and Lunch Systems

                  We looked high and low for lunch boxes and gear that was free of BPA, PVC, Phthalates and either claims to be lead-free or meets CPSIA testing standards for lead.  I’ve noted which brands claim what regarding lead. All of our picks are also free of Microban.   Here are our picks

                  Lunchable Storage Containers

                  I also encourage you to download the CHEJ 2010 Back to School PVC Free School Supplies shopping guide and the EWG Back to School Guide for more ideas on having a less toxic school year.

                  Great places to shop for lunch/food storage gear:

                  Mar

                  22

                  SafeMama Baby Pool Cheat Sheet

                  Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, PVC Free | 10 Comments

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                    Last year we had gotten the question about baby and wading pools for small kids.  What better way to spend a summer afternoon than sitting in your backyard with some friends and letting the kids splash around?  It’s a nice cheap afternoon.  The kids are having fun, you’re working on your tan (in moderation of course), and you’re able to have a somewhat peaceful conversation with other adults.  One of my friends has what we refer to as “block party,” during the summer.  She puts every outdoor toy in her driveway, along with her pool and we all just hang out under umbrellas while the kids have fun.   The only drawback is, her pool is vinyl, which makes me a little paranoid sometimes.   I tend to be phobic of chemicals, so this year, I was determined to search for better alternatives.  I wasn’t going to stop until I found a suitable alternative.  And thankfully, I came up with a few ideas.

                    PVC Free Baby Pools

                    EverEarth Inflatable Pool: Looks like a regular blow up pool but it’s made of TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) which according to EverEarth is biodegradable and phthalate free.  They also have a full line of pool toys, inflatables, swimmies, and rafts. Woo!  Check out their website for the selection.  I don’t think these are available just yet but as soon as they are I’ll update and let you know where to find them.  I have to thank Inhabitots for the find – thanks!

                    Molded Plastic Pools: This is your typical and least expensive option if you’re looking to go with something PVC and phthalate free.   You can typically find these anywhere, including grocery stores, toy stores and department stores like, Target and Wal Mart.   They range from $8 to $20 depending on the size.  They’re generally made of LDPE (low density polyethylene, which is #4 on the recycling scale).  Sometimes they have a recycling code on them, and sometimes they don’t.   But they are a good option if you’re looking for something inexpensive and fun.  The only drawback to these is that they tend to be a pain to empty, but that’s a pretty low con to deal with for the price.

                    Sun Smarties Pop up Pool: Another great, but a little more expensive option is one that I found over at One Step Ahead, called the Sun Smarties Pop Up Pool.  I was really excited about this find, and went ahead and ordered one (I can’t give you any details on it yet, though, because it’s back-ordered until next month.  Thankfully it’s still late winter and not summer yet!).  This pool just seems like an all around great option. The great thing about this pool is that it pops up easily folds up so flat, that you can pack it with you if you’re going on vacation!  Neat.   It comes with a sun canopy that clips on easily, which is great because you can move it around as the day wears on to make sure that your child has all day sun shade (but remember to still put sunscreen on them.  You know how kids are, in out in out in out).   Because of its ease of use, you can also get use out if it in the winter by using it as a ball pit.   It also comes in three sizes, which is a nice plus.  The smallest model retails for about $40, but the biggest one is pretty pricey at $90.   The Sun Smarties pop up pool is made from puncture resistant polyester.   Once I get mine, I’ll add my two cents to the information.

                    Statia Says (5/20/09): I received my pool and unfortunately, I’m going to have to remove the Sun Smarties Pop up Pool from our list.  Sadly, when I opened my pool, I noticed the plastic liner suspiciously looked like PVC (which is not mentioned in the product description).  However, One Step Ahead will not confirm what the liner is made of, so I’ll leave this information here in case One Step Ahead wants to clarify any information, or if any of you went ahead and ordered the pool.   I’m so disappointed, because this seemed like a great space saving option.

                    Little Tikes Butterfly Beach Sand and Wading Pool: This is a really cute, fun option for smaller toddlers.  The pool is somewhat small, so use would be limited, but if you really wanted to, you could fill both sides with water for more pool room.  Sometimes though, all kids need is just a little bit of water to have a lot of fun.  I also like that you can fold it up when it’s not in use and that there’s an umbrella to give the kids some shade on a hot day.  Little Tikes products are made of polypropylene (#5 plastic), which is recyclable in nearly all areas and Little Tikes products hold their value really well, so when you’re done with it, you could sell it to recoup your cost or donate it.

                    Phthalate free vinyl pool Perhaps this isn’t the most eco-friendly option, but there are PVC pools that are phthalate free.   They’re made without using all of the phthalates to soften the pvc.  I’ve researched and found some options, particularly one company by the name of Intex, that makes them, but they seem to be hard to find.  Maybe as the demand becomes higher, they will be more readily available.   There is however, the issue of how it could be recycled, and if it could be recycled easily, given that most PVC is made with phthalates.  I haven’t done a ton of research on it yet, since summer is still around the corner.   But it’s on my list of things to look into.

                    Little Tikes Wade Lagoon: This is beyond expensive as an option for something phthalate free, but it is phthalate free, nonetheless.   Little Tikes inflatables are all made of a mix of polyethylene and phthalate free PVC (as confirmed by a rep from little tikes).  All Little Tikes products are free of phthalates and BPA, so that’s comforting to know.  This product is built to last, which is one of the things I love about Little Tikes.  The inflatable products are expensive, but they definitely hold up to a beating (we have one of their bouncers, and a very active jumpy little boy, so I know how sturdy they are).   The good thing about this, is that you’d no doubt get quite a few years out of it, and it would probably last until your kids outgrew it and again, Little Tikes products hold their value, so you can sell it later on down the road and extend its life a little longer.

                    Another option that isn’t technically a “wading pool” but could also be used as a pool, would be a stock tank.  I’ve seen these as options around the internet, and while they could get pricey, they are a little bigger than your typical plastic molded pool.  I actually researched this option, but we’re a little low on garage space, so I went with the foldable pool instead, to save space.  They’re extremely sturdy and are higher on the sides than an actual wading pool, which might be nice if you wanted to say, fill it up on a hot summer day and kick the kids out, while the mom’s enjoyed some nice cold beverages.   I’m just sayin’…

                    Know a product you think belongs in this list? Let us know!

                    Mar

                    3

                    Hidden Filth & PVC in Bath Toys

                    Filed Under PVC Free, Toy Safety | 17 Comments

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                      I’ve been watching this weeks series of “expose” reports concerning Hidden Filth on the Today Show this week.  Today they discussed the filth lurking in children’s bath toys.  My purpose for reporting it is two fold.  First, I knew bath toys could harbor mold which is why I try to air dry the kids toys each night.  However I was nicely ignorant to just how gross they could possibly be.  A group of mothers surrendered their kids bath toys to the Today Show for testing and what they found was frightening.  Fecal matter (alarming levels), staph and e. coli bacteria in just about every single toy.  The worst offenders were bath squirties or toys with holes that allow water to get trapped inside. If you watch the report, the scientist splits open a toy shark to reveal a hot bed of black bacteria and mold.

                      How does it get there?

                      The bath water you bathed the child in has become a “bacteria soup” they called it which the toys marinate in.  Additionally, since the tub is usually situated near the toilet, flushing can spread germs, bacterial and fecal matter as far as 20 feet. (I don’t even want to think about what that’s doing to toothbrushes).

                      What do I do?

                      • Air dry bath toys after each use, preferably somewhere away from the family toilet. A closet would be a good spot.
                      • Periodically run them through the dishwasher or hand wash them with soap and clean water (not bath water)
                      • Avoid toys with holes in them (like bath squirties) and if you do have bath squirties beware that they can be gross inside.  In the past I have held them up to a light to see if anything was growing in there but when in doubt, chuck them or recycle.

                      About Bath Squirties and Bath Toys

                      During the report, they showed kids in the tub gnawing on bath squirties and toys that were all clearly made of PVC which is a really toxic type of plastic.  It pained me! To me that’s worse than some exposure to e. coli.  The reporter also replaced the confiscated bath toys with a big PVC duckie.  PVC can and often contains Phthalates (which softens the plastic to make it squishy), and chlorine.. not to mention the incredible strain on the environment it causes to create it.  You know that “shower curtain smell”?  That’s you inhaling the off gassing plastic and phthalates.

                      Instead of choosing toxic PVC bath squirties and ducks, I recommend the Boon Bath Toys that are just as good, if not way cooler and more fun:

                      Boon Odd Ducks – They come in 4 shapes and fun colors, are PVC Free and have no holes where water can get trapped inside (I like Squish.. he’s cute, but we also have Bob and Slim who make a regular appearance in our tub)

                      Boon Scrubble Interchangeable Bath Toy Scrub Set – These squirties all come apart and you can run them through the dishwasher… they’re PVC free and my kids love them.  Boon also makes a ring toss called Boon Splat Floating Ring Toy and a Water Bugs Floating Toys set that are good fun.  We have all of those too, haha!

                      There are other PVC free bath toys but many have holes in them, making cleaning tough to do, or are made from a badly off-gassing foam (think foam letters) so I really prefer the Boon Toys over many others (so do my kids). If you have any PVC free bath toys you love that are not Boon, please let me know about them in the comments!

                      Note: Boon did not pay me to say this… I purchased all my Boon bath toys from The Soft Landing and genuinely like them!

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