Rave and Review

TheraPearl Cold & Hot Therapy Packs {Review & Giveaway}

How many of you have that special frostbitten bag of peas in your freezer – the one no one eats, but everyone runs to when they need a cold compress?  Me?  I’m waving my hand wildly.  How many of you out there thought there had to be a better way, but struggled to find a practical solution for a cold compress that conforms to your curves but doesn’t leak, smell, or expire?  Yep, still waving my hand wildly.  Finding a heat pack was similarly difficult and my best solution was a bulky electrical heating pad that was stiff, uncomfortable, and, well, electrical. 

If you’ve noticed, I’m using the past-tense to talk about our hot and cold packs and that’s because we have found a much, much better solution for both.   The solution is TheraPearl, a company that makes a whole line of hot and cold compresses for whatever ails you.   Instead of one pack to heat and one to cool, TheraPearl Cold and Hot Therapy Packs are both, all wrapped up in one ingenious product that has changed the way we treat minor discomforts at our house. 

We got to try out some really cool TheraPearl products this past spring that included the Nursing Buddies set and two colorful children’s pals and we all simply love them.  Because we enjoy using them so much, we have thrown out our bags of frozen peas and donated our heating pad and now rely solely on the TheraPearl for small injuries, strains, or muscle aches. 

So, what is TheraPearl?  Formed by a doctor as a practical alternative for healing, their hot and cold therapy packs are like nothing I have ever seen before.  Instead of gel, TheraPearl packs are filled with squishy gel “bubbles” that are smooth and soft to conform to curves, which makes them a great option instead of leaky ice packs, messy frozen peas, or electrical pads.  

My daughter loves the kids TheraPearl packs that have adorable pig and frog designs and they have been a lifesaver as the active spring and summer activities have resumed.  They are the perfect size for her little hands and her little injuries and perfect to keep in either the fridge or freezer to pull out quickly when needed.  When she falls down and gets hurt, nothing consoles her quite like her “Bubble Pig”, as she has affectionately named it. 

Not only are the TheraPearl packs sized perfectly for numerous functions, they are all reusable, easy to freeze or heat, and are doctor-recommended.   This is partly due to the fact the packs can do both hot and cold as well as disseminate their cold or warm properties in 20 minutes, the recommended time for heat or ice.  They are also incredibly easy to use, either hot or cold, by popping a pack into the freezer or fridge or heating for a few minutes in the microwave.

TheraPearl has a variety of different shaped packs available that are designed for different uses, but the great thing is that they can be used anywhere interchangeably.  While the Nursing Buddies were incredibly nice to have during an episode of painful engorgement, they also work nicely for knee injuries, head compresses, and just about any small or medium area you can imagine.  Next on our list is the large sports pack so we can have a large and a small option available… you know, just in case.

You'd expect with a product as cool as this that they would cost a fortune, but the prices are not only reasonable, they are a true bargain!  The Nursing Buddies set can be bought for $14.99 and the Kid's Pals are $5.99!

 
Thanks to their generosity, one lucky Rave and Review reader will win a TheraPearl Cold & Hot Therapy Pack!

To Enter: Simply visit TheraPearl and tell me what product you would like most if you win 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar {2 extra entries, must be verified to count}

2) Like TheraPearl on Facebook {1 extra entry, just leave your FB name in comment}

3) Like PTPA Media on Facebook {1 extra entry, just leave your FB name in comment}

4) Tweet about this Giveaway after following us all {daily Tweet, just post link here}

Have you tried TheraPearl Hot & Cold Therapy Packs? Win one with @raveandreview and @PTPA & @TheraPearl #giveaway http://bit.ly/rrPLR6" 

5) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage {3 extra entries - just post the URL where I can find your writeup}

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website {2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R}

7) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

8) NEW!  "Like" Rave and Review on Facebook! {3 extra entries}

On August 14th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn via Random.org, announced here, and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#27 Sonya said... I must have the Nursing Buddy soon!

A big thank you to TheraPearl and PTPA for providing the samples for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review. 

Winterize Your Car with the Midas Winter Safety Kit {ARV $100 Giveaway}

 
For the last few days the entire Pacific Northwest has been pounded with snow.  Even more snow and ice is predicted over the holiday weekend throughout the U.S. so I know many of you out there are already thinking about winter weather.  This makes it the perfect time to tell you all about Midas’ “How to Winterize Your Car” campaign and give one of you the chance to win a Winter Safety Kit from Midas. 

To help prepare drivers for unexpected winter conditions, Midas has compiled a list of winter driving tips to keep you safe.  From tire pressure to packing an emergency kit, Midas gives you quick and easy ways to winterize, including offering how to videos. 

The Midas Winter Safety Kit includes:
•         $50 Midas Gift Certificate
•         Jumper Cables
•         An Emergency Thermal Blanket
•         First Aid Kit
•         An Ice scraper/Snowbrush
•         A Flashlight
•         Storage bag
•         Water

For more information, please visit www.midaswintersafety.com or watch the “How to Winterize Your Car” Video. 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Midas Winter Safety Kit valued at over $100!

To Enter: Simply tell me something you learned by visiting the Midas Winter Safety site or watching the embedded video above.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) "Like" Midas on Facebook 

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @MyMidasGuy with #giveaway and the link to this post (http://bit.ly/fuCPNO) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On December 17th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #25 Tina Renee said... subscribed to Rave & Review
treneebarker at hotmail dot com

A big thank you to Midas for sending the Winter Safety Kit and information as well as providing a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

AZO Emergency Kit and Vera Bradley Bag {Review & Giveaway}

 

No one likes to talk about UTIs and even fewer people like to run to the store in the middle of the night to diagnose and treat one.  Having a kit made up ahead of time is such a lifesaver and something before now I wouldn't have ever thought of doing.  Seems strange to think of because I always make sure my pantry is stocked or I have enough dog food ahead of time, but it never really dawns on me to think ahead and plan for illness. 

So, when AZO reached out to me and told me about the wide array of products they have to treat various “emergencies” that could arise, I thought it the kit was such a great idea.  Why head to the doctor or a walk in clinic and spend hours waiting and lots of money only to find that in some cases you can treat your symptoms in the comfort of your own home?  AZO cites the fact that UTIs account for more than 8 million doctor visits each year, and now I know that many of these could have been avoided.

Even better than merely treating your symptoms is the fact that you can use AZO products to actually help you reduce the likelihood you will contract a UTI in the first place.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?  Even better when it comes in an adorable Vera Bradley bag!  
 
From over-the-counter products to diagnose and treat a UTI to all-natural products to help prevent one, AZO has you covered.  Don’t just take our word for it, check out AZOProducts.com and see all the different products they have to make sure you’re covered no matter what. 

 

 
One Rave and Review reader will win an AZO emergency kit in a Vera Bradley toiletry bag; total retail value of $75 - Kit includes the full line of AZO Products and a beautiful 10" x 6¼" x 3¼" Vera Bradley Large Cosmetic Bag (note: the patterns provided will be randomly selected from the current collection and not from patterns being discontinued or retired… you can view the Vera Bradley collection here)

To Enter: Simply visit AZO Products and tell me something you liked or something you learned on the site {mandatory for entry}

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Interact with AZO Products on Facebook

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @AZOproducts with the link to this post (www.raveandreview.com) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (2 extra entries - just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo is in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On December 15th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #49 Rae Higgins said... #12 I voted for you in the Top Baby Blogs rjwhiggins@aol.com

 A big thank you to AZO Products for sending a kit for review and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Germ Guardian Electrics for Healthy Home Review and Giveaway

Sometimes it feels like cold season lasts all year and there's nothing you can do to prevent it.  Then, before you know it, everyone's talking about flu season again.  Being prepared for an outbreak is great, but everyone knows that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Of course, I love it when I find products that really keep my home and family safe and even better if they also make my life easier.  With a full line-up of products that any germ-a-phobe would covet, Germ Guardian takes a lot of the worry out of the cleanliness of our home.  

For nearly 8 months of my daughter’s first year of life she was on a medication that weakened her immune system dramatically.  This made it so just about anything was a serious threat to her health and we became overly cautious about germs and bacteria on levels even new parents would giggle at.  Granted, her immune system has likely caught up by now, but all the research I did when she was little left me completely traumatized by what I learned about household germs.  So now, even though she’s a healthy 20-month-old, I tend to be extra careful about what she comes in contact with.  So, you can imagine that when I found the company Germ Guardian, I created a wish list that included just about their entire product line that I would love to keep my house and children’s areas clean and sanitized.

The first thing on that wish list was the Germ Guardian NS-2000 Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer that can disinfect all my daughter’s small toys, pacifiers, and mouthpieces without chemicals so that I don’t have to wonder what’s going in her mouth while she sleeps, eats and plays.  Instead of being a steam or boiling sanitizer that uses moisture to get rid of germs and bacteria, the Germ Guardian Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer uses a dry heat to kill germs while still cleaning to 170 degrees.  I loved the idea of this because a good portion of her toys are wood, plastic, fabric and rubber that is unable to be steamed or immersed in liquid and haven’t had a good way to clean them until now.  The Germ Guardian Nursery Sanitizer is completely safe for use on all of these surfaces and more and won’t warp, shrink, melt, or discolor items that are run through the sanitizing cycle.

The sanitizing tray is meant for mostly small items, which is why it has three divided compartments to help keep things organized while cleaning.  Unfortunately, that does mean that two full-size bottles won’t fit in the unit at one time, but a whole pile of pacifiers, nipples and more have plenty of room.  We even fit all of the contents of our Step2 kitchen refrigerator in the Nursery Sanitizer at one time and were very pleased with the results. 

My breast pump attachments and tubing all fit fine as well, but I know others have had problems fitting all their odds and ends in at once and are stuck doing two cycles on the Nursery Sanitizer, but I found that mine fit perfectly in one.  While we haven’t tried cleaning a stuffed animal yet, please bear in mind that the furry friend would have to be small in order to fit inside properly, so don’t be expecting to clean the entire toybox in an hour.  While I have my fingers crossed hoping for a bigger unit down the road for parents with multiple children, daycares and more, I really like the size of the Nursery Sanitizer for our family. 

Not only is the Nursery Sanitizer completely safe for a wide variety of items, the sanitizing process really couldn’t be any easier.  I was really hoping that the Germ Guardian Nursery Sanitizer wouldn’t require a whole lot of hands on time from me, and I absolutely got that wish.  To use, you simply dump in your items to be sanitized, place the lid on the sanitizing tray and press the one button on the unit.  A half hour or so later, the fan goes off and you know the items are dry, clean, and ready to be placed back in rotation.  While the fan on the unit is really quiet, the Nursery Sanitizer does have approximately the noise of a typical room fan.  I found the sound to be soothing, really, and not something I would take away points for, especially since it’s by far the quietest electronic in my kitchen. 

I would definitely recommend the Nursery Sanitizer to any new parents out there and would highly suggest registering for one of these if you have an online registry.  The Germ Guardian NS-2000 Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer has a list price of $69.99

Another must-have item for any household is a good humidifier, and of course, Germ Guardian makes an awesome Ultrasonic Humidifier that is perfect for everyone in your family.  The Germ Guardian H1600 Digital Ultrasonic Midsize Humidifier isn’t your traditional drug store humidifier, this is a serious electronic with some really cool features.  With silver clean technology that prevents the growth of mold and bacteria in the water tank, the Germ Guardian Humidifier provides a healthier breathing environment by making sure the water it emits is clean and safe for your family.  With its super sleek design and options for both warm and cool mist as well as a variable mist control, it means you can use this humidifier in any room in your house. 

The humidifier has a 20 hour run time on its max setting with its large 1 gallon tank as well as a low water indicator so you know when to refill.  Whereas other units we’ve tried only had a few hours worth of water in the tank, I love that on a medium setting I can leave the humidifier on all day long, or use for a few nights in a row without refilling.  Speaking of using at night, the fact that the Germ Guardian Humidifier is Ultrasonic means that it is extremely quiet and you can run the unit at night and still sleep peacefully.  It even has a night light function that you can turn off and on, which is great if you find yourself up with a sick baby or trying to navigate around a child's room at night.

I love that the Germ Guardian Humidifier is quiet, efficient and economical with no pads, filter or wicks to clean or replace, but mostly I love that my family is getting clean and germ-free humidification without the use of chemicals and toxins.  The Germ Guardian H1600 Digital Ultrasonic Midsize Humidifier has a list price of $169.99

Germ Guardian makes having a clean and healthy home not only possible, but also efficient and easy.  The chemical-free solutions they offer make me feel good about using them for every member of the family and for every day use.  With some of the most innovative and technologically advanced cleaning products and electronics available, Germ Guardian has become one of my favorite household brands ever. 

http://www.germguardian.com/   

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Germ Guardian H1600 Digital Ultrasonic Midsize Humidifier (ARV $169.99)!

To Enter: You must visit Germ Guardian and comment below with another one of their products you would love to try!

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Become a Germ Guardian fan on Facebook and leave a comment on their page

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @GermGuardian after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry)

On March 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US residents.

Winner, Winner!  This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Melissa who said:

I would love to try the Touchless Soap and Liquid Dispenser we are germ a phobes here at my house lol

A huge thank you to Germ Guardian for sending us their Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer for chemical-free solutions for a clean house and offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

MedSafe for Peace of Mind

Since I found out I was pregnant, I have read over a dozen articles and books about baby proofing the house and every single expert recommends putting drugs and medications out of baby’s reach, or better yet, purchasing a baby lock for your medication that will keep your curious baby safe.  As sound of advice as that is, it really doesn’t address the issue of keeping your children safe after they are able to climb, open doors, or unlatch baby locks.  The MedSafe is the first babyproofing product I have seen that is truly kid-proof and still allows parents to easily access their necessary medications.

The MedSafe is an impact resistant polymer locking safe that is designed to work like a traditional combo safe that secures your valuables.  Instead of storing precious jewels or cash, the MedSafe is designed to hold all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications (up to 15 bottles) and keep your kids from accessing them on their own, even well after babyproofing age.

The MedSafe is fairly compact and can be stored in bathrooms, pantries, nightstands and more easily and safely.  The MedSafe comes with screws to attach to the wall, but you can also use double sided tape to secure safely in metal cabinets or dressers.  Since we don’t have anywhere near 15 medications in our house, we put other items we wanted to keep baby out of in our MedSafe, like fingernail clippers, scissors and razor blades.

I did notice that some of the medications we do have were a bit tall for the Med Safe, since it has one fixed shelf running midway through the safe, so we had to turn those bottles on their sides to get them to fit inside.  A height adjustable shelf would be one of my most emphatic suggestions on the next version of the MedSafe, but definitely not a deal breaker with a product that ensures the safety of our children.

The statistics on drug related deaths and injuries offered on the MedSafe site were truly shocking and reaffirmed my desire to remove every trace of medications from our unlocked medicine cabinet for good.  Citing data about accidental overdoses of young kids as well as teenagers, it really opens your eyes as to how vulnerable kids are at all ages and all you can do to protect them.

Their website focuses on the Teen drug abuse problem, which every parent thinks will never happen to them or their children, but only the families with locked medicine cabinets can be reassured won’t.  Deaths related to prescription drug overdoses happen every 5 minutes, according to http://www.helpsaveourkids.com/, which is more than 3 times greater than the number of gun related deaths each year.  Most parents wouldn’t dream of an unlocked firearms in their house but leave their medications out for anyone to access (even extremely rude houseguests who enjoy snooping through medicine cabinets – 39% of them according to MedSafe’s website) which is incredibly scary to me.

No one ever kicks themselves and says “I wish I hadn’t been so gosh darn safe,” but the opposite unfortunately is not true.  Just one mistake or accident can truly happen in an instant and it really does pay to be safe rather than sorry.

http://www.helpsaveourkids.com/ to Join their fight to have 5 Million Homes Secured by 2011!

A big thank you to An Island Life and MedSafe for making my medicine cabinet and family safer.  MedSafe offered the sample to review and no other type of compensation was received. 

ThermoFocus 5-in-1 “No-Touch” Thermometer by Kidz-Med®

Made with NeverWake™ Technology, because everyone knows better than to wake a sleeping baby

Every parent always jokes that babies should come with a manual and it’s always met with polite laughter.  But, tell a group of parents how much you hate your thermometer and you will be met with a chorus of agreement.  And for a good reason - up until recently, the standard thermometer on the market took 60 seconds.  That’s 60 screeching, wiggling, wailing, kicking, back arching, ear splitting seconds, if you can get the thermometer positioned to get a temperature in the first place.  All that to get one number that may or may not be compromised by said wailing, kicking, and wiggling.  

Which begs the question what if your thermometer was more than a thermometer?  Well, then it’s a ThermoFocus, a new 5-in-1 temperature wizard that does more than tell you when someone’s sick.  It tells you just how sick, in a super fast and extremely accurate little device that requires no skin contact to get a reading.  And then it tells you if you need to turn up the thermostat in your room, get some more ice for your 7-up, or wait a bit longer for your chicken noodle soup to cool.  And then when hubby gets home, you can tell him just how sick his dear wife was by scrolling through the 9 memorized temperatures to garner sympathy.  Just don’t mistakenly claim the chicken noodle soup reading is your own.  Hubby is much, much smarter than that.     

So, what is this ThermoFocus and what are the 5 ways it can make your life easier?  The ThermoFocus is a “No Touch” Infrared Thermometer that measures any temperature in mere moments, all without coming into contact with the subject or item, whether that is people, ambient temperatures, food, bathwater, beverages or more.  No contact means you can quickly and easily take the temperature of anything, or anyone.  Having already done two around the clock temperature watches in 11 months, the first thing that came to mind was not having to wake the baby to get her readings, which I was thrilled about. 

When I started thinking about the thermometer in terms of its true potential, I realized how much a no contact thermometer is a great leap forward for taking the temperature of large groups of people.  The recent outbreak of Swine Flu and the public hysteria that followed is prime example of when something like this tool would be invaluable.  Being able to handle groups of people in a short amount of time, all with no direct contact, is crucial towards keeping others safe.  I have heard reports that these exact thermometers are being used in airports, train stations, public buildings and more as I type.  Naturally, they would make a great tool in smaller applications as well, such as a daycare center or school setting and make it easier to help stop the spread of disease.  I think we can all agree that not getting sick is a million times preferred to merely being able to tell how sick someone is.

 

So, how does it Work?

The thermometer is shaped like an arrow, with a triangular tip covered by a protective cap and a handle that has three buttons and an LCD screen.  To take a temperature, you just open the protective cap and press the “face” button to activate the two infrared lights,  keeping the button pressed.  When the thermometer is held perpendicular to and close to the forehead (about 3 cm away), the two points of lights will converge into one spot of light.  Then you just release the button and keep the thermometer still until the lights flash and the temperature will immediately be shown on the display.  Sounds like a lot of step when you write it out, but the whole process takes only moments.  When you are done, you just flip the protective cap back on.  You can review previous temperatures by pressing the “Mem” button and viewing the last nine temperatures.  Ambient and inanimate objects can be tested by pressing the “house” button and then following the steps above.

 

 

Things I’m Raving About: 

 

No contact means no chance of waking baby and no fancy probe covers to buy.

 

It’s quick, easy and gives consistent readings, which means you won’t be remembering how to get an average and mean reading at 4 am

No beeping noise that could inadvertently startle or wake the baby or cause her to think she has a very cool new toy.  Sorry, kiddo, this toy’s for Mama.

 

Can toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius, for when I’m feeling international

 

It even has a loop you can clip to on the base of the unit, so you could keep it around your neck and be assured you won’t lose it.  Perfect for when you are using it for large groups, in the healthcare field or merely for around the clock baby care.

 

Uses totally harmless and safe infrared technology, of which I completely trust the FDA on.  I have no infrared testing facility… yet.

 

Baby stays asleep, even through multiple readings.

 

5-in-1 is four more applications than any other thermometer, and I’ll admit its pretty fun to take the temperature readings of the entire contents of your house.  Not that anyone will ever ask you what temperature you keep your kitchen towels, but if they do you will have the answer for them.  

 

Over 10,000 readings from 4 AAA batteries, giving you plenty of opportunities to test and retest those towels.  

 

Can take readings from forehead, armpit, or navel, which translates to a whole lot of fun, providing that person isn’t really sick.

 

Memory function stores 9 previous thermometer readings, so you can throw away your bedside notebook for recording around the clock readings.  (Just joking, you should recycle those notebooks)

 

Did I mention you don’t have to wake the baby?

 

Things I’m not crazy about:

 

No backlit display means that in the middle of the night I have to turn on the light to see the reading, which could possibly wake the baby.  I’m fairly certain that this is the case with most thermometers as well, but most thermometers are invasive, and therefore the lack of a lighted display is the least of my worries. 

 

The LCD display has a toggle between Oral and Rectal settings, which doesn’t make any sense for a “no touch” thermometer.  I did try doing an oral reading by shining the light in my mouth at the back of my throat and it was surprisingly accurate.  Probably not recommended, but kind of fun all the same. 

 

Moving the device between rooms means you need to let the thermometer recalibrate, which takes between 10-30 minutes (with an optional shortcut that involves getting a reading of an object 30 and 60 inches off the ground).  I actually couldn’t get the thermometer to indicate it was recalibrating, even moving across our entire house, which means the temperature inside is consistent from room to room (even though I swear the movie room is colder and that’s why I require cuddles and big fluffy blankets when we watch movies).  Just make sure you keep the device in the room with the sick person if your house fluctuates a lot from room to room and you won’t ever run into this.

  

Here are some FAQs from the ThermoFocus website:

Q. How accurate is the Thermofocus?

A. Taking the temperature at the temporal artery (forehead) is deemed as accurate as a rectal or ear thermometer.

Q. Is the Thermofocus for everyone?

A. Thermofocus can be used by people of all ages. It is used and recommended by doctors and pediatricians all over the world.

Q. How fast is the Thermofocus?

A. With each reading, Thermofocus carries out every hundredth of a second, a sequence of 125 readings which are amplified and computer by its sophisticated microprocessor, together with the value of the ambient room temperature, until the correct temperature is shown on the display. Basically, it takes less than a second!

Q. Is the Thermofocus approved by the FDA?

A. Yes, it is a Class II Medical Device and has FDA approval.

The ThermoFocus 5-in-1 is perfect for babies, active toddlers, kids, adults, food, bottles, ambient temperatures, bathwater, Fido and more.  It’s quick and it’s easy (a press of a button and then release – no need to even turn off!) which makes it the perfect tool for all sorts of applications, not just for sick babies. 

http://www.kidzmed.com/

Price: $69.99

Looks: Doesn’t matter at all, but it is kind of cute – I especially like the smiley face.

Overall:  A great tool for parents, teachers, health professionals, daycare workers, transportation officials and much, much more.

A BIG thank you to Kidz-Med® for making this review possible and for making life with a sick baby that much more bearable.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

SafetyMate - Portable and Interactive First Aid

“Supplemental Safety Training for Parents on the Go”

I don’t feel qualified at all to write this review – I have absolutely zero medical background, am squeamish at the sight of blood, and tend to panic in the event of real emergencies.  All of which means that I am just the person to do this review.  

At three months of age, my daughter had to go undergo an MRI and it is required that babies of that age be sedated in order to have the procedure.  Since she had recovered from the anesthesia so well, the doctors had let her go a little bit before the recommended 5 hour observation period.  They sent me away with the suggestion that we keep a close eye on her for the remainder of the day.  I was pulling out of the hospital’s parking garage when the realization hit me that if something did happen, I was sorely prepared to handle it.  And it was then that I began to worry about how fragile babies really can be and how scary it is to be the adult in charge. 

Having only taken CPR and first aid as a teenager and then having purged most of the information along with advanced Calculus after I hit my twenties, I definitely was due for a first aid refresher course.  I had meant to do a supplemental class during my pregnancy, but then had a hard enough time fitting in the Lamaze and parenting classes I had already signed up for, what with requiring 14 hours of sleep and 10 hours of elevated legs each day.  Then, I had planned on taking a course when baby was first born, and now she’s 10 months old.  So, I was really happy to review the SafetyMate and get myself motivated to update my first aid skills.

Very rarely does something hit the market that is unlike anything I have ever seen before, as I am constantly on the lookout for new products and gadgets that make life with children easier, so I was thrilled to see a new product come out that definitely does not fit into any of the traditional baby item categories.  The SafetyMate is a compact and portable device that talks you through 8 main first aid categories and does so in two languages (English and Spanish).  The device is much simpler and easy to understand than any other method of first aid that I have ever seen, which means just about anyone can use it.  When you flip the top open, a voice immediately begins speaking, directing you to choose one of the following categories:

	CPR, Unconscious RCP, No Reacciona		Burns Quemaduras
	Choking, Breathing Atragantamientos, Respiración		Falls, Bone Injury Caidas, Lesíones en los Huesos
	Allergic Reaction Reacciones Alérgicas		Poison, Bites, Stings Intoxicaciones, Mordidas, Picaduras
	Bleeding Hemorragias		Seizures Convulsiones

After choosing a category, the SafetyMate continues to give direction on that specific topic, occasionally asking yes or no questions that you respond to by pressing the large “yes” or “no” buttons on the bottom of the unit.  This allows you to tailor the instruction to fit your specific circumstance and conditions to get the best first aid direction.  Equipped with 30+ first aid instructions for common injuries and issues, the SafetyMate is perfect for new parents, child care providers, grandparents and more.

While waiting for hubby to run errands, baby and I had fun pressing each of the categories and responding differently to the yes or no questions.  Baby liked the flashing lights and the fact that the unit is very reminiscent of a remote control which, incidentally, she also adores.  Not one to be won over by flashing lights alone, I loved seeing how the instructions varied based on the age of the victim and how circumstances that I would have never thought would be a factor play such a large role in the method of first aid.  Playing with the unit for a while and choosing from the different categories, I couldn’t help but think of the old Choose Your Own Adventure books from when I was young.  I used to adore those and would devour any and all that I could find.  Not only did I love reading them through once, I liked to go back and reread them, choosing different paths each time so I could try out every possible outcome.  The SafetyMate reminds me of that in the way that you get wildly different first aid techniques by answering one question differently, which makes it a fun and educational way to amuse yourself while someone takes forever at the bank.

To see an online product demonstration, go to:
http://www.safetymate.com/home/prodInfo.html

Although I was extremely excited about the SafetyMate as a tool to reinforce first aid techniques, the product was met with some uncertainty as I began to discuss it with other parents and colleagues.  As is often the case with new items that are so cutting edge that there really isn’t a built-in market, I ran into a few skeptics that I converted along the way.  So, instead of merely doing my normal review process, I am going to address the most common questions and concerns that were voiced about the product and my argument for the SafetyMate and why I think eventually SafetyMates will be on every registry.

Continued.....

Exergen Temporal Scanner Review and Giveaway

Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer

There are so many things that I never realized I was going to need as a new parent.  I guess I just assumed that we already had two people living in the house, what was the big deal about adding one more?  Sure, baby would need a bed, a car seat and small collection of miscellaneous baby gear.  But, one thing I absolutely never planned on was getting a new thermometer.  Ours worked fine, right?  When we started to feel sick, we could get the thermometer out and use the number for bragging rights, mostly.     

Now fast forward a few short weeks…. It was the middle of the night and my newborn baby was wailing as if she was being tortured, which really wasn’t like her at all (I know, lucky).  I went to kiss her forehead and realized she was really hot, so I raced through the house to find an arguably more scientific method of gauging temperature.  I came back with a fist full of thermometers and began to take her temperature very methodically, trying each one using every means endorsed by the packaging and comparing the readings.  Immediately I was concerned about the range of readings I was getting. 

She was three degrees off from normal on one, and over 102 on two others.  Yet another thermometer had her at a normal reading.   After all the testing was done I was even more confused than before.  Had she not been under 4 weeks, I might have given her Tylenol and snuggled her back to sleep, but I had read my literature.  I knew that babies that young should be watched carefully when running temperatures that high.  Having never really cared for an infant this young, I began to question if I was doing it right - did it stay in her mouth long enough?  Was she wiggling when I took it under arm?

I finally caved and called her pediatrician, reaching the after hours help line and requesting a doctor call me back.  He called back a few minutes later and we went over my findings.  Did you do an oral reading?  Yep, as best I could.  Did you do an underarm?  Yep, tried that, too.  Did you do a rectal reading?  Wait… a what?!?  I hadn’t realized that people still took rectal readings, let alone were endorsed by medical professionals.  I guess I had just thought it was a dated medical practice and not something I would ever have to do.  The doctor talked me through it over the phone, and although traumatized permanently, I had the number for him. 

But now I was even more confused since this number was much higher than the other thermometer readings were.  I questioned why this one was so high, and the doctor explained that rectal readings have a different scale than oral or underarm.  I checked the packages of all the thermometers and not one made this distinction clear.  In fact, not one even mentioned a difference whatsoever.  Seriously, there had to be a better way.  I thought we supposed to have hover cars by now but this is still the most scientific method for gauging temperature? 

The next morning I made a doctors appointment and took baby in, hoping to get a real scientific measurement of her fever. While there I asked what they would recommend for future nighttime scares.  “Rectal”, they answered.  They saw my look and followed it up with “or you could get a forehead scanner”.  Wait a minute… a forehead scanner?!?  A forehead scanner exists on the market yet I had to do a rectal reading the night before?  Oh, the horror. 

  It turns out that forehead scanners not only exist, they are readily available.  Temporal Artery Scanners are infrared thermometers that work by taking a noninvasive reading from the temporal artery (located on the temple, naturally).  They are made by Exergen and available nationally at Wal-Mart, Babies R Us, Walgreens, Costco, and available at www.exergen.com I could tell you all about them in my non-existent medical background, or I can quote the manufacturer.  I think the choice is easy and my feelings won’t be hurt if you prefer to read the following:

What is the Exergen TemporalScanner™?
The Exergen TemporalScanner™is the world’s first infrared thermometer designed to measure body temperature by taking a reading from the temporal artery. The patented technology employs an infrared sensor that accurately registers body temperature to within +0.2º F—a much more accurate means of taking the temperature than any other way including oral, rectal, axillary (under the arm) and tympanic (in the ear). It is also the least invasive method, depending upon a gentle sweep over a patient’s forehead.

What does the TemporalScanner™ measure?
The TemporalScanner captures naturally emitted heat from the skin over the temporal artery, taking 1,000 readings per second, and 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?
Ear thermometers are considered inaccurate by medical professionals because the positioning of the probe in the ear canal is inconsistent, thus creating varied readings that frequently result in missing fevers. The gentle scan across the forehead, reading the temporal artery, is more accurate and comfortable for the user. A Harvard Medical School study has proven that the TemporalScanner is more accurate than ear thermometers.

All of this makes it perfect for babies, active toddlers, kids and more.  I’m sure you see why hospitals all over the country are using this same technology.  It’s quick (less than 2 seconds) and it’s easy (a press of a button and a quick scan of the forehead and temple – no need to turn off!) and it’s affordable ($39.99 to $49.99 at select stores) and it works for all ages.  It’s not a hover car, but while they work on those, we can all enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having a reliable, easy and accurate thermometer.

Random Rave:  Know what’s even better than being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby that doesn’t feel well?  Being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby while they are sleeping.  Seriously, no need to wake a sick baby means that everyone gets more sleep.  I was also thrilled to find that the Exergen Temporal Scanner comes with a fabulous User Guide that gives tips and tricks for taking temperatures, and even gives specific criteria for evaluating your readings.  Clearly, someone was thinking.  You can also read the User Guide Here.

www.exergen.com

See stockists at http://www.exergen.com/medical/TAT/tatconsumerpage.htm

Price: $39.99 to $49.99 at select stores

Looks: Hi-techy with a little Star Trekky, and baby’s new favorite toy.

Overall:  Second to a hover car, far superior to traditional thermometers.

And now for the Giveaway...

Munchkin Medicator

Munchkin Medicator

“Medicine made easy”

It was absolutely heartbreaking when my infant daughter was diagnosed as having a hemangioma, otherwise known as a vascular birthmark, that was so large that it required immediate attention.  Worse was the news that leaving the hemangioma untreated would likely cause optical damage that would be irreversible.  What I hadn’t realized was how hard giving her the awful tasting medicine would be, and how frequently we would have to give it.  The first night, we tried the dropper and syringe against the cheek as her pediatrician had recommended only to have her spit back out the medicine immediately.  In one instant I had a million things rushing through my mind – if the medicine is the only thing that can save her sight and she refuses to take the medicine, where does that leave us?

I began an exhaustive search of the web to see what I could find to get her to ingest some of the medicine and found the Munchkin Medicator, amongst other infant medicine dispensers.  I canceled my plans for that evening and went on a tour of area pharmacies to try and track down a dispenser so we didn’t have to wait for one to ship.  After six stores I had finally found the Munchkin dispenser and I couldn’t wait to get home and try it. 

Designed as a cross between a bottle and a pacifier, the Munchkin dispenser has a small medicine measurement container with select cc and tsp labels that screws onto what looks like an oblong bottle top and clear nipple.  We went home and washed up the Medicator, filled it with the awful tasting liquid and screwed the nipple back on.  It was time to try again and see if we could get baby to ingest any of it this time. 

Shockingly, she took it like a champ, gulping the liquid right out of the dispenser without any prodding on our part.  I can’t even tell you what it felt like to have hope again in the midst of so much worry.  Part of the brilliance of the Munchkin Medicator is the fact that the nipple dispenses the medicine at the far back of the throat, which means that baby doesn’t taste the liquid in her mouth at all as she gulps.  The method of dispensing medicine into a baby’s cheeks works fine for some medications, but not this awful tasting pink goopiness that is to be her morning snack and her after dinner dessert for the next few months. 

The one main flaw I see with the design is that it is rather easy to screw the cap on crooked because the measurement container doesn't have threads to screw into the top, it just has plastic tabs to line up with the cap threads.  This means that whatever liquid medicine you have inside will flow down the side of it and get all over everything if it is not together exactly right, which will ruin outfits, blankets, you name it.  It's happened enough times that I now turn the Medicator upside down completely to test it each time before giving medicine in it.  The other flaw I noticed is that only certain measurements are marked on the medicine container itself, which means that unless your dosage is one of the ones listed you will be guesstimating, which is not usually recommended by physicians.  We ended up using a syringe to measure the liquid before filling the Medicator, but it would have been so much nicer to be able to use the measurements on the Medicator itself. 

I wish someone had told me about this dispenser before I needed it, and I could have had one on hand, just in case.  It would have saved a lot of worry if I had known that my baby eventually would take the medicine as prescribed.  I absolutely recommend that every expectant parent get a Munchkin Medicator to have on hand.  At this low price and the almost guarantee that at some point your child will need to take some sort of medicine or vitamin, you just cannot afford to not own one.  I currently own 5, because it makes me worry less that something is going to happen that will prevent me from getting her the medicine she needs.  When your baby’s sight depends on something, you will do anything and everything to make sure that it happens. 

http://www.munchkin.com/products/detail.html?section=prodCategories&ID=10001&pID=220

Price: $4

Functionality: High, even with the two design flaws mentioned, it is vastly superior to the other methods available.

Looks:  Does it matter in any way, whatsoever?  It’s a medicine dispenser, and it works.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 marks, because I can ignore any small flaws when a product gives you an easier way to take care of a sick baby.       

Check out my website at www.raveandreview.com  or contact me at leanne@raveandreview.com

medibag 4 kids First Aid Kit

medibag 4 kids First Aid Kit - by me4kidz

The medibag is as functional as it is cute, filled with items that every parent should have on hand for minor cuts, burns, bites, and more.  It’s hard to believe, but it is even cuter in person than it is on the website.  Made of a hard plastic molded to look like an old fashioned Doctor’s bag, the medibag boasts 117 first aid items ranging from cotton swabs to eyewash.  Thoughtful touches throughout, the kit was obviously prepared by experienced parents.  Filled with hand sanitizer, colorful bandages, and even a handful of stickers to reward bravery, the medibag is something that should reside in every house with children.

I love that the case has a full inventory of the first aid items listed on it, as well as pictured on the back so you can assess what you need quickly without having to dig through the case to see if it contains what you need.  There is even extra room to add other items that are essential for your family, so you can create a complete custom first aid kit specifically for you.  In our kit we added a medicine dropper and some allergy medicine, along with some small scissors for cutting the bandages and tape down to size.  We also replaced the disposable thermometer with a permanent one, so we would always have one on hand.       

Every parent knows that life with kids can be terrifying when you find yourself in a situation where you are unsure as to what to do.  Me4kidz has thought of everything and included a First Aid Guide that walks you through injuries from nosebleeds to fractures.  As adorable as the medibag is, I feel that the design is about more than aesthetics, as the case itself begs to be noticed.  It would be incredibly hard to misplace a bright red Doctor’s kit, even in the most disorganized household.  Which means that in the event of an emergency, you may actually know where to find your first aid supplies.  And more importantly, so will the rest of your family. 

http://www.me4kidz.com/index.html

Price: $20

Functionality: High, contains items for the most common injuries and does so in style. 

Looks: Absolutely adorable, which is far more than I can say for other first aid kits.

Rating: 5 out of 5 marks, for design, contents and execution.  Highly recommended for any family with small children. 

Check out my website at www.raveandreview.com or contact me at leanne@raveandreview.com