Do you have Aqua Dots?

About 4.2 million Chinese-made children's toys were recalled Wednesday after U.S. regulators learned a chemical on the toy beads turns into a powerful "date rape" drug when swallowed.

Two children in the USA went into comas after ingesting beads that were part of Aqua Dots craft sets. They have since recovered, Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson said. Three children in Australia, which also recalled the toy, were hospitalized after swallowing the beads.

The toy, distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master, was sold in the USA in mass-merchandise stores from April through November of this year, CPSC said. Wal-Mart named Aqua Dots one of its 12 top toys this year, and it was the 2007 Toy of the Year in Australia.

The toy came with different accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads and spray bottle. All versions are recalled. The product is labeled for ages 4 and up.

The beads can be arranged into designs. The chemical that allows them to fuse together when sprayed with water metabolizes in the body into the drug gamma hydroxybutyrate. GHB is known as a "date rape" drug because it can render users helpless.

Australian officials told Reuters that instead of the safe chemical 1,5-pentanediol, the potentially dangerous chemical 1,4-butanediol was used during manufacturing. When ingested, 1,4-butanediol becomes GHB. It can cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizures, coma and death.

In the USA, a 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads, became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a coma. A second child also vomited and slipped into a coma.

Michael Brown, a former CPSC general counsel, says it's unlikely that required CPSC testing would have caught the presence of the chemical. "Who would ever think about that in a toy?" says Brown, now a product safety lawyer.

Brown says the switch is the kind of problem that occurs when manufacturers are trying to meet deadlines and run out of materials or try to cut costs.

"This is a horrifying recall," says former CPSC chairman Ann Brown, who is not related to Michael Brown. "We're just not seeing any let-up in the kinds of dangerous products that are coming in from China."

The toy was recalled in both the USA and Australia on Wednesday. Spin Master says it has stopped shipping the toy. Retailers have removed it from store shelves.

The Australian based Moose-Enterprises was the first to recall the toy which is sold under the brand name, Bindeez, in China,

Scientists say the effects on children who swallow the item can include drowsiness, seizures, unconsciousness and in some cases coma and death.

Consumers can contact Spin Master at 800-622-8339 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. More information can be found at the links provided below.

Living and Family Rooms

A continuation of
Good Health begins at Home
taken from Cleveland Plain Dealer Parade insert

Most infections are spread by physical contact....which is why washing your hands in hot soapy water for 20 seconds is the best prevention.

Sometimes what feels like a cold is really an allergy. Over 40 million Americans suffer from allergies, caused by dust mites, mold, pet dander and cockroach droppings (ewe gross), all of which thrive in carpet, drapes and upholstery.

*Clean carpets with and upholstery with a dry-steam cleaner (where do I get one??)
followed by an intensive vacuuming. Vacuums with HEPA filters are best.

*Leave your shoes at the door. Shoes spread pesticides, pollen and germs.

*Use sanitizing wipes on items groped daily, cabinet handles, remote controls, light switches, door knobs and keys.


Next on the list the Bedroom!

The Golden Compass

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children, will be
released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the first book of
a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book a boy and girl
kill God so they can do as they please. Pullman left little doubt
about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books
are about killing God."

The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is designed
to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their
children to see the the movie and that the children will want the
books for Christmas.

The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon,
and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised extensively, so it is
crucial that we get the word out to warn parents to avoid this movie.

You can research this for yourself. Start with this article on
Snopes.com, then go to Google.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Good Health at Home

I found a recent insert in our newspaper very informative.

I will do a few post and share some great ways to keep yourself healthy by keeping your home healthy!

I hate being sick and will do anything to prevent it! Hope you find this informative too!

The Kitchen

The kitchen has more germs than any other room in your house, even more than the bathroom.
Because we are dealing with pathogen containing things such as meat and vegetables, we need to clean with more than just soap and water, we need to DISINFECT!

1 oz bleach to 1 qt water is one of the most powerful disinfectants you can use.

Tips:

*Never use your dishwashing sponge to wash countertops or appliances. You can cross contaminate. Use cleaning wipes (look for brands that say sanitizer or disinfectant)
Dispose of sponges monthly and periodically soak sponges and rags in bleach and water solution.

*If there are cracks in your wooden utensils or cutting boards, replace them. Also use different cutting boards for meat and veggies.

*Up to 80% of food-borne illness is caught in the home. Buy a refrigerator thermometer and make sure the temp stay 40 degrees (F) or lower to reduce bacteria. Preservative rich foods such as pickles and jellies can go in the door, but...
Keep milk and eggs in the back of the refrigerator where it stays coolest.

This was taken from the Cleveland Plain Dealer...next post is the Living an Family rooms!

I am back...

Summer is coming to an end and now I will have more time.

To start of the Fall season here is a fun recipe the kids will love!

Taken from Taste of Home Oct/Nov 2007

Trick-or-Treat Turnovers
1/2 lb ground meat ( I used turkey..and 1 lb of it)
1 TBSP finely chopped onion
4 oz. mozzarella cheese cubed
1/4 C prepared mustard (didn't have any..but it would have helped the flavor)
2 tubes (16.3 oz each) large refrigerated flaky biscuits
1, egg lightly beaten (oops I forgot this)

In large skillet, cook meat and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink;drain. Add cheese and mustard; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Cool slightly. Flatten each biscuit into a 4 in circle; place 4 biscuits on each cookie sheet (you need 2 or do 2 batches). Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons of meat mixture onto each ( I made mine bigger and more meat-that is why I used a whole pound of meat instead of 1/2 pound since I was using at dinner for my kids, since they don't like my Sausage bean soup).
Using a sharp knife or cookie cutters cut out jack o lantern faces from remaining biscuit circles; place over meat mixture and pinch edges tightly to seal.
Use scraps to make stems.
Brush with egg ( I didn't do this and they turned out fine). Bake 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes
until golden brown!

Let's get moving

I pledge to not be a blog slacker anymore. So please pledge to not be a blog reader/commenter slacker anymore!!

WE tend to always find things to complain about with our children. So I wanted to challenge you to find the GOOD.

When your kid does something out of nowhere that you have been working on, don't you just want to have a party??

Today in the car Ethan (almost 3) was whining for a drink of my pop (no, I usually don't let them drink pop) and I said Ethan when we stop you can have a sip, and instead of throwing a temper tantrum like he always does he said, "alright" and shut his mouth. What the heck?? I was so excited I turned to smile at him and say that was so nice Ethan. Those were good words.

YEAH ETHAN!!

So I want you to give a shout out to your child for any good thing they did. Whatever age. You can come back as many times as you want. BUT....

You also have to read the comment that you left to them. That will make their day.

That gives me another idea, if you child has conquered something, maybe I will do a post with their picture and a letter from mommy. Wouldn't they love it??

Let's just start with the shout out challenge.

And if you have a post for your child, send me an e-mail at iknowiamnotalone.blogspot.com!

I am looking forward to it. Let your friends know!!

Long Time, No Post

Has it really been almost a month. I am so sorry to be a boring blogger! But I am sure most of you have been just as busy.

I don't have any interesting stories or uncommon struggles right now, do you??

e-mail me at iknowiamnotalone@gmail.com or leave your e-mail in the comments section!

Happy Summer.