Green Treehouse

April 22, 2009, is Earth Day. Pull out the red crayon and circle that date on your calendar! Why? Because it’s the perfect day for resolving to go green!

You can jump start your Earth Day and green commitment with Classy Kid’s Degradable Diaper Sacks. Keep them in your diaper bag or within reach in the nursery. While ordinary plastic shopping bags may do the trick for containing dirty diapers, plastic takes years to break down in the landfill. These green diaper sacks break down and decompose quickly, making them a green, eco-friendly diaper disposal sack.

March 24, 2009: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of about 24,000 Fisher-Price 3-in-1 High Chairs (”3-in-1 High Chair to Booster”). The recall involves product number (P5369), which is printed on the side of the seat, on a label on the seat pad, and on the product’s packaging. The high chairs were sold exclusively at Target from December 2008 through March 2009.

According to CPSC, “The seat can fall backwards from high chair frame if the booster seat release is unlatched while the child is in the product. Also, the seat back can detach if not fully snapped in place, posing a fall hazard and risk of serious injury to young children.”

At least one serious injury has been reported. Consumers are advised to discontinue use immediately.

For more information about this recall or to determine whether your high chair is involved in this recall, click here.

Want to be the first to know about the newest baby gadgets and gear, eco-friendly products, and great deals?

Of course you do, right?

So catch the baby buzz and Follow BabyEarth on Twitter!

Feb. 4, 2009: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 100,000 Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gates (model number 42111 and manufactured before December 31, 2007).

According to CPSC, the gates are voluntarily recalled because “The hinges that hold the stair gate in place can break, posing a fall hazard to children if the gate is placed at the top of the stairs.”

Consumers are advised to stop using the gate and contact the manufacturer.

To learn more about the recall or to determine whether your gate is affected by the recall (and to see an image of the gate), click here.

Scholastic (think of those book order forms you once brought home from school or your children now bring home to you) is looking for moms to nominate their favorite blogs for its first-ever Best Mommy Blogger awards!

If you enjoy reading the parent and eco-friendly Green Treehouse Blog, click on over to Scholastic and vote for Green Treehouse!

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January 30, 2009: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 3,000 136-piece Mega Construction Play sets manufactured by DDI Inc. The recall involves play sets “packaged in a black and yellow box with the word ‘Builder’ printed in the upper left hand corner of the package,” and “includes various construction equipment, vehicles, buildings and roads.” The sets were sold from October 2008 through December 2008 at various hardware and farm stores.

According to CPSC, the toy play sets are voluntary recalled because “Surface paint on the play sets can contain lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.”

No injuries have been reported.

To determine whether your toy may be affected by the recall, to view an image of the recalled toy, or to read the news release click here.

As a mom (or dad!), just when you think you’re finally mastering the parenting thing, it’s time to try something totally new… like potty training.

Well, if you’re looking for the ultimate potty helper, check out this Cushie Step-Up Potty Seat with Step Stool by Mommy’s Helper.

I know, I know…it looks like potty accessory overkill–that’s what I thought, too! But children really do love this seat and ladder system. “Mommy, I can DO IT all by myself!”



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January 15, 2009: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Infantino Lion and Lamb Grabby Rattles. The recall affects approximately 131,000 rattles, though CPSC states that, “Rattles without tails on the animals and products with production codes of 0108 and 0508 are not affected by this recall.” The rattles were sold at major retailers and other specialty stores from May 2007 through September 2008.

According to CPSC, “The tail-piece on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.” Parents and caregivers are advised to discontinue use of the rattles immediately.

To read more about the recall or to determine whether your Infantino Infant Rattle is affected by the recall, click here.

January 15, 2009: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of Fisher-Price Rainforest Portable Play Yards, manufactured by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. The recall affects approximately 200,000 play yards.

The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table, and mobile features. The products have a Rainforest™ patterned fabric, Rainforest themed artwork and bear the “Fisher-Price” logo. The Simplicity Inc. model numbers are 5310 RNF, 5310RNFC, and 5310RNFW. The model number is located on a sticker on one of the legs underneath the play yard.

According to CPSC, the danger is that “One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.” There have been numerous reports of injuries to children caused by collapsed railings. Consumers are advised to stop using the portable play cribs immediately.

To read the recall notice or to learn whether your play crib is affected by the recall, click here.

If you’re a brand new parent or an expectant mama, it’s probably hard to imagine right now that someday you’ll find yourself packing away baby gear. But, that bittersweet day will come. I know. Just weeks after my third child was born, I was already packing away her tiniest onesies and last week I gave away her exersaucer to another family. Why can’t they stay tiny for longer?

When the time comes to move baby gear out of your house, go green! Recycle that gear at one of these…

3 Eco-Smart Baby Gear Sites:

1. BabyEarth. Eco-friendly baby retailer, BabyEarth, offers the BabyEarthRENEW program that is a hassle-free baby gear recycling program.

2. Hand-Me-Downs. “A new classifieds site for moms where you can buy, sell, give away or donate your new or ‘gently used’ baby gear.”

3. Freecycle. This site is “all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills,” and offers listings by regions.

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