Tag: "Clorox"

Miscellaneous Mentionables

Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for Teachers

This school year, the National Education Association’s Health Information Network and The Clorox Company will offer a coupon for a free canister of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to teachers nationwide to help them welcome back their students, but not the germs and viruses that often come with them. Beginning today through September 5th, teachers can sign up to receive a coupon for their wipes at www.cloroxclassrooms.com, while supplies last. At the Web site, teachers can also sign up for a free “Clean Up the Classroom” kit, which features lesson plans, games, and other tools to help reduce the spread of germs.

Carnival Cruise Virtual Book Of Dreams Contest

Dream Big, Win Big
The Virtual Book of Dreams™

How Do I Enter?

1) Ask your child to complete the thought “I’m always dreaming up fun stuff. Wouldn’t it be awesome if…” in 250 words or less

2) Ask your child to create a hand-drawn illustration that corresponds with their dream

3) Scan the illustration onto your computer

4) Submit your child’s written dream and illustration for a chance to win BIG at http://dreambook.carnival-dream.com/submit-your-dream.aspx

* Every dream is valid, there are no limitations to how creative your child can get. Click here to see a sample dream.

* Please note: All entrants must be parents/guardians submitting on behalf of their child.

When Do I Need To Enter By?

The contest ends on September 18, 2009, so make sure to get the creativity moving soon!

What Are the Judges Looking For?

· Creativity and Originality of the dream

· Expression—how well the dream is captured in words

· Emotional Content—how well the dream conveys emotion in words and images.

For the illustration, the judges want to see how effectively the dream is expressed in the illustration. The judges are not concerned with how technically impressive the illustration is, but rather how well it captures the essence of the dream.

How and When Will the Grand Prize Winner Be Determined?

1) A panel of judges will select 4 Finalists

2) YOU have the ability to select the 5th Finalist by voting online here (http://dreambook.carnival-dream.com/gallerydream.aspx )

3) The 5 Finalists will be officially announced on www.carnivalbookofdreams.com on September 28th

4) Between September 28- October 4, YOU get to decide the GRAND PRIZE WINNER by voting online here (http://dreambook.carnival-dream.com/gallerydream.aspx )

5) The finalist receiving the highest number of votes wins the Grand Prize title and will be officially announced on October 12.

What Do I Get If I Win?

· Finalists receive digital cameras and other prizes from Carnival

· The Virtual Book of Dreams™ Grand Prize Winner will be named the Godchild of the Carnival WaterWorks water slide aboard the Carnival Dream and will be invited to participate in a ship christening ceremony in New York City in mid-November 2009. The winning family will also receive a two-night cruise aboard Carnival Dream.

Sep 05, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

Clorox What To Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home Growth Chart

Clorox partnered with Heidi Murkoff, author of the bestselling “What to Expect” series to create the What to Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home. If you’re not familiar with this book it’s worth a look.

Does your husband (or any other male in your life) need a better argument for lowering the toilet seat other than preventing you from falling in?

From the book - “Water vapor (plus the toilet contents-yes…anything in there) erupts from the toilet like a mini bacteria volcano every time you flush, landing on whatever is nearby (including that toothbrush you left on the sink). Closing the lid before you flush will help prevent you-and your family-from brushing their teeth with toilet water.”

Do you store your child’s bath toys in the tub?

From the book - “Your children aren’t the only ones playing with the bath toys. [Bacteria and other germs] are having a party with them too, a party that keeps getting bigger and bigger as the guests multiply. To keep those bugs from breeding on tub toys let them dry in a net or basket after the bath. Toys that trap water (that rubber ducky comes to mind) need to be cleaned regularly with a diluted [disinfecting] bleach solution, [as directed], then rinsed well and left to dry.”

Years ago, when TJ was very young, I used to leave the tub mat in the tub. I guess I thought that it would stay clean since it was always under soapy water. Boy did I get a surprise when I lifted it up and found what looked like mold growing underneath it. Ewww! That was when I learned to remove everything from the tub to air dry.

I’ve learned that they recently added an addendum to the book - the Clorox What To Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home Growth Chart.

The What to Expect: Healthy Home Growth Chart is a guide containing information and tips on your child’s health and preventing germs from spreading in your home during the first five years. The Growth Chart is broken down by age - 1, 3 and 6 months and 1 to 5 years. The tips promote good health and hygiene while remaining simple and helpful. You may already know some or you may find one that wish you’d have thought of that sooner.

My favorite tip is for cleaning stuffed animals. Did you know that if you put a stuffed animal that isn’t machine washable in a trash bag in the freezer it will kill dust mites? I didn’t.

You can learn more and download the What To Expect Guide to a Healthy Home Growth Chart as well as the What to Expect: Guide to a Healthy Home Guide for free at http://www.clorox.com/healthier_lives/article.php?subsection=new_moms&article_id=what_to_expect

These two books are terrific, especially helpful for new parents. Check them out for yourself and let me know what you think.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.“

Aug 17, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

The Top 5 Summer Staycation Tips From MommyDocs And Mom Central

Times are tough right now. People everywhere are learning to do more with less, by spending smarter and looking into alternative options. Many people are giving up their summer vacations and instead finding fun things to do at and near home. With more time being spent in and around the home, more than 60% of moms recently surveyed by Clorox said they were doing more cooking and cleaning around the home than ever.

Mom Central and MommyDocs got together to discuss how moms can keep their houses cleaner and their children safer while staycationing this summer. Here are their Top 5 Tips for Summer Staycations.

Staying Safe at BBQs - According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don’t forget to check that your child’s hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.
Keep the Pool Cool and Clean - If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Healthy and Hydrated - Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.
Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds - Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun - test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!
Saving on Spills - Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don’t have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don’t forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Hopefully you’ll find these tips helpful. If you have any other tips I’d love to hear them.

Thank you MommyDocs and Mom Central for letting me share these tips with my readers.

Jul 02, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post