There are 2 types of baby diapers – the disposable ones and the cloth ones. Although disposable diapers are ultra convenient and absorbent, parents who would like to go green are using cloth diapers. And to help keep cloth diapers in place and prevent mess, diaper pins are used. The problem is, these pins can accidentally hurt the baby, especially if they’re not used or put on properly.

When buying diaper pins, always go for those that adhere to industry standards and safety regulations. Those with safety locks that prevent children from opening them are great picks. Moreover, pins that adapt to the shape or contour of the baby’s body are good buys. Babies would have a hard time reaching them as they are hidden from sight instead of sticking out in the baby’s sides.

Ironically, pins with sharper points are safer than those with dull points. Pins with duller points are more difficult to install. Because much more force would be required to place them, the child is exposed to greater risks of injury.

Whenever pinning a cloth diaper to the child, always place one hand between the pin and the baby’s skin. Place your hand beneath the diaper to create a barrier between the pin and the baby’s skin whenever sticking the pin into the diaper. Don’t choose pins that are quick to rust as rust can cause irritation to the baby’s delicate skin. Moreover, rust can be toxic once it is transferred onto the hand and eventually ingested by the child.

Always choose quality diaper pin brands that are proven safe, such as Gerber Diaper Pins and Kendall Drive baby Cloth Diaper Pins.

A lot of parents buy baby walkers to help their kids learn how to walk, while at the same time, keep their tots entertained while they go and do something else. Problem is, a walker can put the baby at risk, especially when the child goes unsupervised, even for just a few seconds.

Walkers can enable a baby to move from one spot to another in a matter of seconds. With this speed, a child is vulnerable to hurting himself, like bumping his head onto the table edge or the wall. Furthermore, there have been reports of children in walkers falling off the stairs. Some reports showed how children were able to reach toxic household chemicals because they were put on their walkers. Due to these incidents, Canada has banned the sale and use of baby walkers since April of 2007.

Aside from the safety issues, experts say that walkers don’t really help children learn how to walk. In fact, studies say that babies who use walkers learn walking a month later than those who don’t. Experts argue that walking is learned by watching how others do it and by understanding how each foot is moved. The child must then copy the movements and do it on his or her own. However, trays installed in walkers prevent the children from seeing their lower bodies, reducing the amount of information that they need to develop their motor skills.

Despite the safety and developmental issues that come with walkers, a lot of parents from all over the world are still getting walkers for their babies. It’s a good thing there are manufacturers who have improved on their baby walker models, making much safer products since the year 2000.

However, safety doesn’t depend entirely upon manufacturers. It will always be the parents’ responsibility. Every safety precaution must be made in order to keep babies in walkers safe.

• Never leave the child unattended.
• If leaving the baby for a few minutes to do something else, remove the baby from the walker and transfer him or her into the crib.
• Stairs must be blocked with a high, sturdy gate or door.
• Keep the baby away from areas with hot surfaces, such as the kitchen.
• The entire house should be baby-proof.
• Install electrical outlet covers and make sure there are no dangling appliance chords.
• Keep ceramics and other fragile items in a locked cabinet.
• Always lock the door leading to the toilet, pool, and other areas with water source.
• Keep all chemicals and sharp objects locked away in a safe or higher place.

Perming hair has been around since 1905. That means women, though able to beautify themselves, have also subjected themselves to the harm that comes with perming. They’ve been doing it for over a century. Hair perming involves the use of chemicals or heat applied to hair. Basically, perm works when the hair is rolled and then heat or chemicals are applied. Yes, it may be a good way of getting fuller or lush curls, but perming can also severely damage hair. The use of hydrogen peroxide can also result to serious burns.

Moreover, badly done perms can have hair lose its normal elasticity, making it brittle, fragile, and prone to breakage.  Other side effects of perm include scalp damage, which can include redness, itching, burning, and peeling. Perm can also stop hair from regrowing, which means some chemicals inhibit new hair growth. Perm can also alter hair’s texture, making it frizzy. Baldness can also result as hair is pulled and wrapped onto curlers, which can tear the hair from its roots.

Other bad effects of perm include:

• Scalp irritation or hypersensitivity
• Dull and lifeless hair
• Lightening / oxidation of hair
• Weak hair
• Uneven hair structure
• Poor health of hair

Despite the risks, a lot of women still consider perming as one method of upgrading or changing their looks. After getting a perm, women should intensify care for their hair. There are treatments and conditioners available to properly care for perm treated hair. Safe products include L’Oreal Premier Perm, Garnier Fructis Fortifying Cream Hair Conditioner, and Neutrogena Conditioner Revitalizing Formula for Permed or Color Treated Hair.

A lot of women are conscious about their looks, so they go out and search for the perfect style for their hair. One that never seems to go out of fashion is straight hair. Different hair straightening methods are now available in salons – rebonding, relaxing, ionic straightening, and more. However, quick remedies at home would include the use of hair blowers or irons. While they’re different from each other, they both apply direct heat to hair in order to straighten or curl. Sure they can help in quickly styling hair but what are their side effects?

When hair is blow dried or ironed, the configuration of the layers of hair cutin and fibers as well as the character of hair are altered. The heat takes the luster or shine away from the hair. It also burns the waxy covering of hair and affects the natural makeup of lipoprotein which protects the hair from elements and the environment. Heat from irons and blow driers also damages the hair fibers’ core. It can damage hair to the point that the hair becomes fragile, breaking and cracking easily.

Improper or incorrect use of hair iron also results to burned or blistered scalps. Some women iron too close to the scalp that they end up burning themselves. Burned scalp can result to hair loss or baldness. Other ladies also pull their hair too much, which can also make hair weaker. Too much heat application to hair and scalp can result to receding hairlines and permanent baldness.

If the hair has been severely damaged, it has to be cut off so that new hair from underneath the scalp could grow out and replace the weaker, damaged hair. New hair should not be exposed to heat and other harmful chemicals. Hydration and strengthening are possible if hair is treated with good and safe cosmetology products such as Miessence Clarifying Hair Rinse and Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin Hair Repair.

Many women, even men, dream of staying young or at least presentable the best way they can. A lot would like to somehow freeze time and let their youthful looks stay as longer as possible. Unfortunately, the fountain of youth and beauty is yet to be discovered, if there really is such a thing. But thanks to cosmetics and other beauty products, people can now change or upgrade their looks. A simple change in hair color can do wonders.

Hair colors are being used by lots of people. The question is how safe are they? Unfortunately, hair dyes or colors can contain ingredients that are harmful to health. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), about one of every 30 products sold in the United States have chemicals that are banned or prohibited in other countries. It is therefore important to be wary of beauty products and their contents and to not entirely depend on FDA to do the scrutinizing and banning of such products.

Some harmful ingredients found in a lot of hair dyes are the following:

• Ammonia. Although the more expensive brands of hair color like Garnier, L’Oreal, and Revlon are ammonia-free, some brands do have them because ammonia makes their shelf life longer. Small concentrations of ammonia are irritating but not toxic. However, ammonia can pose problems to those who are allergic to it.

• Coal tar. It is a known carcinogen found not only in hair dyes but also in other organic vegetable dyes.

• DMDM Hydantoin. It is a preservative that is toxic to the immune system. In fact, it’s already been banned for use in cosmetics in Japan.

• Eugenol. It’s an ingredient that gives fragrance. However, it’s also linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, allergies, and immunotoxicity.

• Hydrogen Peroxide. For lighter hair color, hydrogen peroxide is required. It can bleach hair but also damage it.

• Para-Phenylenediamine. It is a chemical found to cause cancer and genetic damage in animals.

• Formaldehyde. Like p-Phenylenediamine, formaldehyde is also linked to cancer as well as developmental and reproductive problems.

Natural or herbal hair colors are better and safer options. Some safe and recommendable brands are Aubrey Organics Color Me Natural and Harvest Moon Brown Henna Hair Dye.

In light of the ongoing debate about the issue of arsenic content in apple juices, it is only right to know what arsenic is and what effects it has on humans.

Arsenic is a metalloid. It’s an element distributed widely across the Earth’s crust. When combined with sulfur, oxygen, or chlorine, it becomes inorganic arsenic which is harmful to humans. When combined with hydrogen or carbon, it becomes organic arsenic which is less harmful than the inorganic type.

Arsenic is naturally present in the environment, specifically in minerals and soil. It can also be present in water, thus likewise present as organic arsenic among creatures thriving in water habitats such as fish, crustaceans, and seaweeds. It has no odor or taste, so it would be very hard to know if it’s present in food or water.

Humans can be exposed to arsenic through ingestion of food, drinking of water, or breathing of air. However, exposure to arsenic is most possible through water and food ingestion. Humans are also exposed to arsenic through private wells, pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, wood preservatives, taxidermy, and even cigarettes.

Arsenic is considered as a carcinogen, a substance that can cause cancer in any living tissue. It can also cause birth defects, stomach pains, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, decrease in white and red blood cells production, fatigue, damage to blood vessels, abnormal heart rhythm, impaired nerve function, cancer in the liver, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and prostate. It can also result to skin, circulatory, and nervous disorders. Exposure to high doses of arsenic is fatal.

Children are more vulnerable to arsenic’s bad effects to health. Children exposed to arsenic are found to have low IQs. They also experience the same symptoms as with the adults such as stomach pains, damaged blood vessels, skin problems, and decreased nerve function.

A recent episode of the “Dr. Oz Show” reported about the alarming levels of arsenic found in apple juices. When that episode aired, the topic became highly controversial. Good Morning America even had Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Richard Besser, ABC’s health and medical editor, debating on air because of this issue. Dr. Besser referred to the report made by Dr. Oz on his show as “irresponsible” and even continued on accusing his former classmate as “fear-mongering”.

What Dr. Besser, the FDA, and others that question Dr. Oz’s investigations refute is the fact that Dr. Oz’s findings were based only on the total amount of arsenic found in the apple juices tested. They said that such data are false and inconclusive because one has to base the amount of harmful arsenic on the amount of inorganic arsenic. Dr. Oz’s reports were based on the combined number of arsenic – both organic and inorganic.

According to the FDA, for a food or beverage to be considered unsafe for public consumption, it should have at least 23 ppb (parts per billion) of combined organic and inorganic arsenic. Anything that has an arsenic content above this limit would be subject to retest by the FDA to measure the exact amount of the inorganic arsenic which is more unsafe than the organic arsenic. Dr. Besser and the FDA refute Dr. Oz’s claims simply because he did not base his reports on the amount of the inorganic arsenic.

Arsenic is harmful to humans, especially to children. Some of its bad effects are brain and development problems, kidney problems, diabetes, hormone system changes, organ damage, and cancer. High doses of arsenic are capable of causing death.

Although Dr. Oz’s reports and claims were dubbed as false and irresponsible by many, he still deserves some credit for being able to stir up talks and debates about this issue. Although his report did create this sense of worry among parents, the public deserves to know the truth and the FDA needs to do more tests. Although inconclusive, Dr. Oz’s reports were able to bring focus and attention to this arsenic issue so that it could be addressed accordingly. He emphasized that he never said that children are dying or will die from apple juices. He’s just merely concerned about the long term effects of arsenic to children who are drinking apple juices that may contain arsenic levels that exceed those set by the FDA itself. A watchdog for public safety is laudable.

Jewelry has become an important part of fashion. You wear them on special occasions like gatherings and parties. They spice up any outfit, completing any ensemble. Watches, earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, or cufflinks – whatever the kind of jewelry you have, it is important that you keep them clean in order to preserve their beauty and luster, most especially if they have gemstones like diamonds.

When cleaning jewelry especially those encrusted with diamonds, many recommend the use of ammonia and warm water solution. However, ammonia, as previously discussed in this site, has some bad effects on health. You can’t use ammonia when you have children and pets in the house. Moreover, ammonia can create clouding on diamonds with inclusions or fractures. Some fractures are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye. So if unsure, do away with ammonia.

For an effective but safer cleaning solution, mix an amount of mild liquid detergent or dishwashing liquid with warm water. Those with natural ingredients are advisable, like Seventh Generation, BabyGanics, and Green Works.

Just soak the jewelry in the solution for several hours then gently scrub them using a brush with soft bristles like a toothbrush or nail brush.

After brushing them, rinse them thoroughly with warm water. If rinsing under running water, make sure you have a basin or bowl to catch them in case they slip from your grip.

Put them on a dry and clean cloth or tissue after rinsing to dry. If you don’t want them just lying around the house to dry, you can wipe them dry using lint-free cloths like microfiber.

Keep them in safe and unpredictable places to prevent them from being stolen.

Dirt and grime can stick to your windows which not only block natural light from entering your home, but also create this unpleasant sight. So you use window cleaners to remove anything yucky from your windows. What you don’t know is that window cleaners, like any other household product, can contain chemicals that may be harmful to your family, especially your kids.

Window cleaners can contain ammonia, a strong and colorless gas that can be poisonous if exposed in large amounts by inhalation, ingestion, or touch. Just the mere pungent and irritating odor of ammonia is a warning sign that it’s a potentially harmful chemical. High concentrations of ammonia can cause not only lung problems but death as well. Ammonia is being regulated in the United States and is considered toxic and hazardous. When mixed with bleach, chlorine gas which is highly toxic can be produced. Aside from window cleaners, other household products that can contain ammonia are metal and oven cleaners, glass cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, floor strippers, metal polishes, and more.

If someone you know gets exposed to ammonia, seek medical help right away. If ingested, do not make the person gag and throw up as first aid would have to be done by a medical professional. If ammonia gets in the skin or eyes, continuously flush it with water for 15 minutes at the least. Do not give milk or water to a person who has ingested ammonia, especially when the patient is vomiting or convulsing. If the person has inhaled or breathed in ammonia, take that person outside, somewhere where there’s fresh air.

To clean your dirty windows, check out safer and more natural alternatives like Ecos Window Cleaner, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Basil Window, and BabyGanics’ The Sparkle Maker™.

Babies can be extreme mess-makers, especially when they start eating soft solid food or those foods other than milk. Mashed fruits and veggies make perfect recipes not only for baby food, but for mess as well. They can also create mean and tough stains in babies’ clothes, making doing laundry extremely difficult. What makes it even more difficult is that laundry detergents and stain removers that we’re usually using may prove to be harsh on babies’ delicate skin. And forget about bleach. Not only is it harmful on babies’ sensitive skin, but it can also damage the clothes’ fabric.

So what are baby-safe stain removers? For starters, you can use natural and safe products you can find from your pantry, like baking soda and washing soda. Use baking soda to remove stains from baby’s clothes, bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and bibs. Just sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the stain, pour a little bit of club soda, let the mixture bubble for a few seconds, and then scrub.

Use washing soda when removing stains from oil, creams, and lotions. To remove the oily substance first, pour over some cornstarch onto the stained area, leave it for 10-15 minute then scrape it off. To remove the stain, mix 2 tablespoons of washing soda with a bit of water to create a paste, apply the paste onto the stained area, and then wash.

If you don’t like the idea of mixing things in your own kitchen or pantry like a mad scientist, then you can just head on out to your favorite store and buy safer and more natural stain removers. According to product reviews available online, some of baby-safe stain removers available in the market today are Green Works Oxi Stain Remover, Oxiclean Laundry Baby Stain Remover, and BabyGanics Stain, Stain, Go Away! Stain Remover.