ParentHelps.com

Today I received a great dessert idea in my inbox.  If you have a little one who likes to help in the kitchen like I do, you’ll want to take a look at this creative cookie recipe.  FamilyFun.com presents a creative yet easy and fun cookie recipe straight from the joys of summer to make.

Hamburger Cookies - FamilyFun.com

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In my inbox this morning, I found a couple of great articles on making the most of a weekend especially when both parents work. ParentCenter.com presents great and simple ideas to making family time prevalent during the weekend. Each article is age specific. The articles are below.

Working parent’s guide to weekend fun ( ages 2 to 4 ) - ParentCenter.com
Working parent’s guide to weekend fun ( ages 5 to 8 ) - ParentCenter.com

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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 product. Consumers should top using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Trek MT220 Girls Bicycles

Units: About 49,000

Importer: Trek Bicycle Corp., of Waterloo, Wis.

Hazard: The bicycle’s frame can break during use, causing the rider to lose control and suffer injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: Trek has received 13 reports of frames breaking, including four minor injuries.

Description: This recall involves Trek girls’ bicycles model MT220 and model years 2005 (light metallic blue), 2006 (metallic silver and metallic purple or pink and pearl white), and 2007 (pink and white pearl or metallic purple). The model name is printed on the frame of the bicycle. Model year 2008 bicycles re not included in this recall.

Sold at: Authorized Trek dealers nationwide from April 2004 through June 2007 for about $300.

Manufactured in: China and Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled bicycle away from children immediately and return it to a Trek dealer for a free replacement MT220 girl’s bicycle or a $100 discount on a different size Trek bicycle.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Trek at (800) 373-4594 between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.trekbikes.com

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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 product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Performance Fleece-Lined boys’ jackets

Units: About 17,200

Retailer: Old Navy LLC, of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The jackets have a waist drawstring with a toggle that could
become snagged or caught in small spaces or doorways, which can pose an
entrapment hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines
to help prevent children from getting entangled on waist by drawstrings
in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The performance fleece-lined shell jackets are hooded, zip
in the front, and have a drawstring at the waist. The jackets were sold
in black or blue in multiple children’s sizes. “Old Navy” is printed on
a label at the neck. Style number 507907 is printed on a white label
sewn into the side seam of the jacket.

Sold exclusively at: Old Navy stores nationwide and oldnavy.com from
August 2007 through November 2007 for about $30.

Manufactured in: Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should return the jackets to any Old Navy store or, if
purchased online, contact Old Navy for instructions on returning the
jacket to receive a full refund. Consumers who return the jacket before
March 31, 2008 will also receive a $5 appreciation card. Consumers
choosing to keep the jacket should immediately remove the drawstring to
eliminate the hazard. Visit www.oldnavy.com for instructions on properly
removing the drawstring.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Old Navy at (866)
580-9930 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, Saturday
between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET, and Sunday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET,
email custserv@oldnavy.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at
www.oldnavy.com

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Earlier this week ParentHelps.com featured an article from About.com on preparing for a family emergency. In the same vein of topic, as I was reading through my RSS feeds this afternoon, I came across an article sharing steps to take to prepare for winter storms. With the temperature dropping and the winter months quickly approaching it’s a timely reminder.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Winter Storm - eHow.com

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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 product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Galaxy Warriors” Toy Figures

Units: About 380,000

Distributor: Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J.

Hazard: Surface paints on the recalled toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The posable spaceman figures are about 4½-inches tall and come with two accessories. They were sold in various colors including yellow, grey, silver, blue, green, gold, black, and red.

Sold at: Family Dollar Stores nationwide from January 2006 through October 2007 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately and return the toy to the firm for a full refund plus postage.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Henry Gordy International toll-free at (888) 790-2700 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

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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 product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: “Ugly Teeth” Party Favors

Units: About 43,000

Importer: Amscan Inc., of Elmsford, N.Y.

Hazard: The surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The fake Halloween teeth are painted white, black and orange with brown gums. They were sold as party favors in packages of eight. “Ugly Teeth,” “Amscan,” “Party Favors,” “Value Pack Party Favors,” UPC 0-48419-65002-7 and UPC 0-48419-61663-4 are printed on the packaging.

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide from January 2006 through October 2007 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled Halloween teeth away from children and return them to the place where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Amscan Inc. at (800) 335-7585 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.amscan.com

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When your home is on fire or a tornado is bearing down on your house it’s not a great idea to be running around looking for your birth certificate or your child’s Social Security Card. Kimberly Keith puts together a resourceful article on what to have handy in a family emergency and how to gather the info.

Preparing for a Family Emergency Evacuation - About.com

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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 product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Purple Halloween Pails with Witch Decorations

Units: About 142,000

Importer: Family Dollar Stores, of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The green paint on the pails contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves purple Halloween pails with a picture of a witch figure silhouetted against a green moon. The pail measures about 6 1/2 inches high. “Distributed by Family Dollar, Inc,” SKU number 1033953, and UPC number 017845000591 are printed on a label on the pail. Orange Halloween pails with black jack-o-lantern decorations are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Family Dollar stores nationwide from August 2007 through October 2007 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled Halloween pail away from children and return it to any Family Dollar store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Family Dollar at (800) 547-0359 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.familydollar.com

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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 product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bumbo “Baby Sitter” Seats

Units: About 1 million

Manufacturer: Bumbo International, of South Africa

Hazard: If the seat is placed on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface, young children can arch their backs, flip out of the Bumbo seat, and fall onto the floor, posing a risk of serious head injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received 28 reports of young children falling out of the Bumbo Baby Sitter seat, including three skull fractures, which occurred when children fell out of chairs that had been placed on tables.

Description: The bottom of the children’s seat is round and flat with a diameter of about 15 inches. It is constructed of a single piece of molded foam and comes in yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua, and lime green. The seat has leg holes and seat back that wraps completely around the child. On the front of the seat in raised lettering is the word “Bumbo” with the image of an elephant on top. The bottom of the seat has the following words: “Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030.” The back of the seat contains the following “WARNING” – “Never use on a raised surface. Never use as a car seat or bath seat. Designed for floor level use only. Never leave your baby unattended as the seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement.”

Sold by: Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies and various other toy and children’s stores nationwide, and various online sellers, from August 2003 through October 2007 for about $40.

Manufactured in: South Africa

Remedy: Consumers should never use the infant seat on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface. Consumers can contact Bumbo to obtain new warning label stickers and instructions, free of charge. The new warning label will state: “WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.” Consumers should use the Bumbo seat at ground level, but should never leave a child unattended.

Consumer Contact: Contact Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bumbosafety.com

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