This Full House Reviews

Energizer Family Safety Kit Giveway: Did You Remember To Check and Change Your Batteries, This Month?!?

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So glad to be sharing this awesome and important safety kit with you, Fawn H (comment #67) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

2 weeks ago, at this very moment, our family was preparing for Hurricane Sandy:  what the Weather Channel predicted to be as one monster of a storm, or #Frankenstorm.

Sandy made landfall here in New Jersey, 90 miles from our home:  it was the largest Atlantic Hurricane on record, lives were lost and entire communties destroyed.  

We were lucky:  we lost power for 6 days.  14 days later, our kids are FINALLY back in school, however, there are STILL folks in town without power.

November 4th marked the 25^th anniversary of the annual Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program and I had all good intentions of posting about this program for Daylight Savings Time.

Even though the time change has passed (not a BIG fan, btw) I thought it would be a good idea to remind all of my online friends to make sure to check and change your batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors: as well as share an awesome Family Safety Kit with one of our online friends.

Allstate Roadside Assistance Program

If you were to ask me to list the scariest words in the English language, a few years ago, it would have looked something like this:

• Strep throat
• It's probably viral
• Check E. Cheese
• Parent-teacher conference
• I couldn't find any clean underwear (don't ask)

Then, one day, I picked up my oldest daughter from school (last year) and she laid 5 more on me, right in the middle of the high school parking lot:

"I started driver's ed, today!"

I knew this day would come.  Dreaded it more than anything (even hot flashes) actually.

"I GOT IT...I got my driver's license, Mom!!!"

Okay, I lied.  I could never have imagined the combination of relief and nausea I felt, when realizing...YES...this was really happening...as of last month...my sweet baby girl is now a legally licensed driver!

"I'm borrowing the car and taking Hope to the library, okay?"

It's been 6 weeks (to the day) since Holly got her driver's license and, I have to admit, I'm getting used to the idea (sort of) especially, when helping to get her siblings to and from summer activities.

Until, I realized, my middle girl will be turning 16, this year (YIKES!) and very, very soon, I will have 2 licensed drivers in the house.

It's like when they were younger, only, now I find myself in a perpetual state of parental nausea.

So, when the good folks representing Allstate contacted me about their Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program, I was more than relieved to learn that their service is available to everyone and other great features, including:

• You do not need to have Allstate insurance to use this service
• You only pay when you use it, there are no monthly fees
• Pre-registering for Good Hands Roadside Assistance provides faster service at time of need on the road. Those that pre-register will also receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a wallet card, key fob and window cling with the phone number for roadside help.
• You can register for up to 5 users on your account

You can register for Allstate's Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program by using this widget -- you DO NOT have to have an Allstate insurance policy to enroll in the program:

Now that we have a new driver in the house -- not to mention, my middle girl following close behind and most likely sharing the same car, you know, the one I drive, as well -- I believe it is very important to introduce teens on the basic fundamentals of taking care of a car, as well.

Still, it's nice to know, in case of an emergency, Allstate's new roadside services provide 24/7 assistance, including:

• Towing
• Lockouts
• Tire Changes
• Refueling
• Jump-start

What's also great about this new service is you pay as you need it and when you need it, ONLY: in most cases just $75 per tow and $50 per other service.

So...YES...I'm a little less nauseous (thank you!) knowing there is a service dedicated to helping my kids stay safe while they're on the road (me, too!)

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post by Allstate and I was compensated for my time, however, I think it's a really awesome idea and have enrolled my family in the program, as well!

Holiday Turkey Safety Giveaway & Tips

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: I am SO HAPPY to be able to share this with Melanie (comment #88) please check your email for further instructions :)

This year, we hosted Thanksgiving at our house (seriously, what's 15 more, right?) and I'm very, very thankful that Garth (not his real name) was off from work, the WHOLE week (1st time in 20 years) and was here to help me out!

Then, we ordered take out on Black Friday and ALL promptly got, you know, sick.

[shiver]

True story.  Yes, we're going to have turkey, again (along with ham, it is our holiday meat of choice) but, there will be NO takeout this Christmas. 

To help better educate consumers and prevent incidences of holiday food poisoning, NSF International (a nonprofit public health and safety organization that certifies consumer goods for safety) has put together a list of 9 tips to making a safe meal this year.

Aaaand, we're more than happy to share them, along with a little something-something, with our online friends, too:

August is Back-to-School Safety Month

Because, you are NEVER too old to learn about AND share back-to-school safety tips...right?

© 2010 This Full House Gone Shopping

The Small Gray-ish Print:  This Full House is not affiliated with Safe Kids USA.  Just sharing stuff I find in my inbox, or information that I think may be helpful to other parents (like me!)

Choose You Campaign Less Cancer, More Birthdays Healthy Lifestyle Giftbag

[CONGRATULATIONS:  JULIE L (COMMENT #52) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

According to the The American Cancer Society, when asked to pick one day to focus on themselves and their health each year, the majority of women (65 percent) chose their birthday.

Today (May 28th) is MY birthday and, in celebration of the 17th Anniversary of my 29th birthday (ahem) I am proud to partner with the Choose You movement (doing something special on my mom-type-blog, too) to shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime.

Considering my twin brother has been battling cancer for a few years, now (AND WINNING!) I am committed to finding and sharing ways in which women (especially, moms like me) can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Why?

Because, it's My birthday, being nice matters and cancer sucks wet poodle!

Kleenex Towels Hand Drying Song: Dry Hands Are Happy Hands - Now With Less ICK!

Did you know that freshly cleaned, wet hands transfer pathogens more readily than dry hands or hands not washed at all.

[cringe]

Me, either.

I am very excited to partner with my friends at TheMotherhood.com and in the Kleenex Hand Towels campaign and share some important facts about hand drying -- like, how I've spent the last 16 years reminding my kids (constantly) to wash their hands and never once worried about their hand drying habits, or lack thereof.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (you know, the CDC, they specialize in ICK!) recommends hand drying with a single-use towel to help reduce the spread of germs, but consumers have not had a practical alternative to traditional cloth hand towels in their home bathrooms – until now.

Oh, and there's this cute little song you can sing along with your kids while hollering at reminding them to, you know, dry their hands.

Why?

Because, I am ALL about ridding my house of pathogens (the killer dust bunnies are getting real jealous) and my family and I get to work on this project, together!

No, I am NOT going to sing (you're welcome!) but, my oldest daughter is working on this really cool idea and, well, did I mention she's 16 and digitally/graphically gifted?

[the sound of crickets chirping]

Oh, and there's a lovely prize to help kick-off the promotion.

BamBoo Bears Debut at Toy Fair 2010 and It Was Like I Was There, Almost!

Sadly, I wasn't able to attend Toy Fair 2010 (stupid, work!) however, a lot of my friends did (DAMMIT!) and I hear that Child's Play Communications (my Team Mom buds) presented a terrific social media panel, during the event.

Why is this important?

Well, having received email pitches addressed from "Intern 6" and "Assistant #3" this week, it's obvious that some companies STILL don't get it.

What?

That moms (and dads) are NOT stupid and really do a lot of research (on line and word-of-mouth) before they buy stuff, for their families!

Still, it was like I was there (almost) because, Jen from Ren Beanie sent us a BamBoo Bear and, well, who new that bamboo could be made to look like fur?

Heart Health Month: American Heart Association Tells Teens and Tweens to, "Be the Beat!"

"Teardrops On My Guitar" by Taylor Swift performed at 100 beats per minute.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States:

"About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event."

My children are well aware of the terrible effects of heart disease, with a bird's eye view from their stroller(s), while seeing my father through one life-saving procedure after another.

Thanks to his doctors, surgeons and my mother's valiant attempts at maintaining a healthy lifestyle, by keeping his diabetes in check, as well, my father has been beating back the effects of heart disease for quite a few years, now.

[knocking on wood until knuckles bleed]

February is Heart Health Month and, in an effort to help spread awareness, I'm very proud to be partnering with the American Heart Association to tell you about their new "Be the Beat" initiative -- one of the key components of the life-saving resuscitation method involves chest compressions, which they say should be performed at 100 beats per minute -- and focus on fun ways to educate teens (and tweens) on the basics of CPR.

'Cawse, I got a couple of those...too...teens and tweens, I mean.

Black Friday, Everyday: Toy Industry Association (TIA) Launches Two Helpful Web Sites for Consumers

See if you've been Naughty or Nice on Claus.com

Thanks to some really great deals and free shipping offers, I was able to get ALL of my holiday toy shopping done ONLINE (don't hate me, it's the Internet!) in my opinion, there's really no reason to fight the crowds, this year.

Unless, you like that sort of thing.

[cough...cough...weirdo...cough...cough]

Still, I've decided to celebrate Black Friday, Everyday by sharing and posting really great deals, or helpful links I find, while surfing the Internet this holiday season.

Aaaand, you're invited!!!

[chases dog out & puts on party hat]

Today, we're visiting with ToyInfo.org and ToyAwards.com and checking out the top toys nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards!

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: Day 6 - FAMILY GAME NIGHT Playing the "I'm Bored Games" with HABA

[CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER B (#31) WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Welcome to Day 6 of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 sponsored by some of the most awesomely generous brands we know and have reviewed throughout the year, who have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for Her, Him, the Grandparents...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously, I've got some really great stuff to share with you.

Raising 4 kids (did I mention, we've got two teenagers in the house, this year?) my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I are trying (really hard) to remember to take back the holidays and keep it as stress free as...well...you know,.

We've got a little something for everyone and giving away some pretty cool stuff, too:

DAY 1:  HOLIDAY BAKING - Pumpkin Lattice Tart Food Channel Recipe and Holiday Gift Pack from Pampered Chef

DAY 2:  WARM HOLIDAY FUZZIES - Love, Hugs, Peace and All Things Jonas Brothers with Build-A-Bear

DAY 3:  CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Going Digital with Disney

DAY 4:  HOLIDAYS LONG DISTANCE - Keep in Touch with Skype and Buddy Cam

DAY 5:  QUIET HOLIDAY TIME - Grandpa Read's Quiet Time Tales

DAY 6:  FAMILY GAME NIGHT - Playing the "I'm Bored" Games with HABA

DAY 7:  MORE FUN TIME - Xbox 360 for When You're Home for the Holidays

Just so you know -- my picks, product features and blog posts (as always) are advertorial free. No one is paying me, to talk about their product. It's just some really nice stuff that I thought you guys would like, too.

Let's get started, okay -- have you ever played the "I'm bored," game?

Bloggers Tell Ellen & Oprah: "MYSTATE" Loves SafetyCaps!

When my oldest daughter was born, I remember one of the first things I did was count her tiny fingers and chubby little toes and then feeling a huge sense of relief.

I pretty much started to worry about EVERYTHING else...since then...but, one of the major issues my husband and I dealt with, very early on, was eliminating choking hazards and making our home as safe and child-friendly, as possible.

What if I told you that it may NOT have been enough and the very thing that was supposed to ensure her safety (along with her 3 siblings) nearly killed another child?

Review & Giveaway: Xbox 360 Live - The New Xbox Experience & Online Interactive Gaming

[This giveaway has closed:  Over 450 entries were received (my eyes are still bleeding) and WE HAVE A WINNER -- Congratulations, Alfred Guillen!!!]

It's no secret, my family is totally into gaming.  We love finding new video games and sharing fun ways in which to spend more time, together.  Even the grandparents, love their new Wii.  Best of all, the kids and I had the opportunity to work very closely with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (seriously, they came to my house, filmed my kids playing video games and everything) to help promote a cool new internet tool to help parents (like me) figure out just what in the heck all those cryptic game rating symbols really mean.

Still, there are parents (like me) who can't help but wonder if online video gaming is safe for kids and Xbox vs. Wii, what's the diff?

Well, I'm pleased to announce This Full House of used games and cheat codes recently partnered with Microsoft (who are extremely generous for sending us an Xbox 360) to help learn about the importance of safe online gaming.

Aaaand, I am equally excited to be able to share it with you!

Quick & Easy Shopping Guide: 7 Strategies for Buying Safe Food

With the holidays just around the corner (literally, my kids have already started peeking through the boxes in my closet...darn it!) folks all over the globe will be feasting their eyes on some amazingly set dinner tables.

Mine, not so much.

My almost 13-year-old is scheduled for surgery today and will be recovering for the next couple of weeks, so we're having breakfast for Christmas dinner!

Still, food shopping is NOT one of my favorite things.  I know, that you know, feeding a family can get really expensive, but did you know that an estimated 5,000 people in the U.S. die each year from food-borne illnesses?

Me either.

So, is there anything you can do to minimize your family’s risk?

The January 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has 7 strategies to cut your risk of a potentially deadly food-borne illness:

Favorite Find: SafetyCaps - A Dad Inventor's Safe Solution to Standard Outlet Plugs!

Dad Inventor, George DeCell, and Survivor Sage!

When my oldest daughter was born, I remember one of the first things I did was count her tiny fingers and chubby little toes and then feeling a huge sense of relief.

Then, I pretty much started to worry about EVERYTHING else...since then...but, one of the major issues my husband and I dealt with, very early on, was eliminating choking hazards and making our home as safe and child-friendly, as possible.

What if I told you that it may NOT have been enough and the very thing that was supposed to ensure her safety (along with her 3 siblings) nearly killed another child?