Thursday Tidbits for 3/26

Anyhow, on to the list of stuff I have to share with you for this week.

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Johnson’s is having a fun contest to launch a new YouTube channel called Johnson’s Baby “Big Bubblin’ Stars” which is centered around bath time. The contest has a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to be the official host of the new channel! To enter, visit http://www.youtube.com/baby.

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I received an email about something called “Earth Hour” – check it out:

Earth Hour is when all the lights around the world will be turned off for an hour to make a statement about global energy and climate change. It is at 8:30pm this Saturday, in your local time zone. Many governments and major companies around the world are participating (France, Italy, Australia, Greece, Indonesia – as well as Coca-Cola and McDonalds) by turning off any unnecessary decorative lighting. This is an awesome movement that will drive lots of awareness around the world and gives us some hope for the future of sustainable energy and climate change.

However, our own government is absent from this list. I know that the Federal government is aware of Earth Hour and their participation would send a powerful message to the rest of the world that they take environmental progress seriously.

My goal in writing to you is to see if you would cover this event, Earth Hour, and the fact that the U.S. Government has yet to pledge to participate. We can only do this together!

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There is a FREE kids storybook available about children with asthma. Check it out:

Did you know that nearly one out of every 10 children in the US has asthma? This makes it the most common chronic condition among school-age children. Asthma accounts for almost 13 million missed school days each year, and it is also the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among kids ages 15 and under.

But it can be hard for kids to understand the importance of sticking to their doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.

Schering-Plough has partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop Breathless Bethany Buttercup, a cute and colorful children’s storybook that uses a little girl’s story about her experience with asthma to provide information about asthma management. It’s designed to help parents talk with their kids about the importance of properly managing the condition.

Your readers can order the book FREE at www.asthmastorybook.com.

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Some information about a possible ban on drop-side cribs:

Late last week Consumer Reports posted about the potential ban on drop side cribs. The
ASTM-International is considering eliminating drop side cribs because their hardware has contributed to the deaths of children who became entrapped in the gaps.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2009/03/dropside-crib-recalls-astm-safety-standards-cpsc.html

Since the beginning of 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced 19 crib recalls totaling nearly 4.3 million full-size cribs. Almost 75% of the recalled cribs were due to failures of the crib drop-side hardware.

Consumer Reports is worried enough that they’ve begun recommending that consumers in the market for cribs look for models with stationary sides until more stringent and comprehensive safety standards can be developed.

Fortunately, a new standard is being proposed by the ASTM. Approval of the measure may take months, but the consensus makes such a step more likely.

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Cat over at 3 Kids And Us is a truly wonderful person. You should go visit her blog. I’ll explain why in a few days.

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That’s all I have for this week, hope you have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! I personally need a vacation (preferably with a free hotel stay).