GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes #GBTravelSafe #ad

I participated in a Blog Blast Activation on behalf of Influence Central for GB. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #ad

Spring is here and summer just around the corner my family and I are pondering the places we want to travel this summer before my little guy starts school in the Fall. I want to get in a few travel adventures before we are in a set schedule. Keeping my son safe while we travel is top priority, next is snacks, entertainment and his stuffed animal giraffe.

I did a lot of research on car seats before my son was born for the latest safety features. Now 5 years later my son is in his big boy seat and there are even more advanced infant car seats.  The GB Asana35 AP Car Seat is one of the latest in car seat advancements with the unique FirmFit system helps protect baby head, neck and spine. You can enter to win the GB Asana35 AP Car Seat in the GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes. I entered many great giveaways when I was pregnant with my son, won a few too. They can be fun to enter and you get to learn a little about products on the available.

   To enter the GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes and win the Grand, Second, or Third Prizes, Sweepstakesants must gain points throughout the duration of the timeframe of the Sweepstakes. Points are awarded by performing tasks found within the entry widget on the Sweepstakes website (http://gbtravelsafe.com), which consists of pre-scripted Tweets, watching a short video on the GB Asana35 AP, visiting the Asana35 AP product page on BabiesRUs.com, and pinning images from Pinterest.

o   If you have a Babies “R” Us registry, you can gain extra points by adding the GB Asana35 AP and providing us with your registry number!

o   Performing these entry tasks will also enter participants to win weekly $50 or $100 Babies “R” Us gift cards through the GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes.

GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes

A trip to our local Fire Station!

With the warm weather in full swing around here we are spending more and more time outside and the boys are riding their bikes and scooters anytime they can. Honestly Jayden had an ill-fitting helmet and Liam didn't even have one, mind you he was always on a three wheel trike, but with him wanting to ride bikes with his brother I knew they needed proper helmets. Through Jayden's Elementary school I found out that our local fire department comes to the Elementary schools to fit and give any student in need a helmet for free. All of the helmets are donated by the firefighters so any donations are welcome. Since both of the boys needed new helmets we made our own trip to our local fire station so they could each get fitted for a helmet by a real life firefighter!!

 Liam getting fitted for his very own super cool red helmet!

 Look Mom it fits!!

 Jayden's turn, he had a lot of questions for the firefighter :)

 They even got some cool stickers and a lesson on always wearing your helmet.

A perfect fit for both! Having the firefighter tell them how important it is to wear a helmet was great, they have been seriously on top of the helmet wearing because a "real life firefighter" told them to!!!

Check with your local fire station and see if they offer something like this available, it was a great experience the boys are still talking about.

Energizer Change Your Clock Change Your Battery Reminder & Giveaway

It’s hard to believe that in just a few days we will be changing our clocks back from Daylight Saving Time.  This year the time change is on November 4 and it also marks the 25^th anniversary of the annual Change Your Clock Change Your Battery^® program.  Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are once again working with local fire departments nationwide to raise awareness on the importance of working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in helping to keep families safe in their homes. 

Thirty-eight percent of fatal fire injuries occur in homes with no smoke alarms, while 24 percent occur in homes in which at least one smoke alarm is present but fails to operate, frequently due to dead or missing batteries.* 

In my house we also know that it means to change the batteries in our smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. Its a simple important life-saving reminder to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks back – it could help save a life. If you have family members that are elderly or in need of help changing the batteries its a great way to help out and save lives.

Even my son knows we need to change our batteries! He helps out by handing me the package then later placing our old battery in the recycling bin at the store.

Win Prizes from Energizer:

Now until  November 4, visit the Energizer Bunny^® Facebook page and click on the Fire Safety Info Tab.  Here you will have the chance to enter a sweepstakes to win an additional Family Safety Kit.  Energizer will be giving away one Family Safety Kit per day for 25 days.  
Contained in the kit, valued at more than $150 is:

·         One reusable grocery tote

·         Two Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms

·         One package of Energizer Advanced Lithium batteries

·         One package of Energizer® MAX® Batteries with Power Seal Technology

·         Two Energizer flashlights

·         Two Energizer Flameless Wax Candles

·         One Energizer Bunny Plush Bunny

In addition you can find fire safety tips, a home escape plan that you can download and draw your family’s home escape plan, as well as a coloring and activity sheet.

The Change Your Clock Change Your Battery^® program is just one of the ways Energizer brings to life the company’s commitment to making a positive impact in communities across the country. that’s positivenergy_™   For more information, please visit energizer.com and facebook.com/energizerbunny.

Family Safety Kit

Having a reliable flash light is a must for your home, plus it can make for fun shadow puppet times! Just be sure to have back up Energizer batteries in your home.

Since having my son I have wanted to find a good smoke and carbon monoxide detector that talks. The alarm sound scares my son so a talking one might be something that he will be able to follow the directions from. This time of year with more candles lit and holiday lights up is also great to talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency with your kids. 

Giveaway

Family Safety Kit complete with a reusable grocery tote containing:

·         One two-pack of 9volt Energizer_® MAX_® Batteries with Power Seal Technology – Dependable, powerful performance for the devices that help keep your family safe; now hold their charge when stored for up to five years
·         One Energizer_® Flameless Wax Candle – Enjoy the realistic flicker of a scented wax candle without the worry of open flame or hassle of soot and dripping wax
·         One Energizer_® Weatheready^® Safety Light – Waterproof flashlight powered by AA, AAA or C cell batteries; includes safety whistle and imprinted preparedness checklist
·         One Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm

The total value of the Family Safety Kit is approximately $78 per kit.


Enter the Giveaway in the Rafflecopter giveaway below:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

* Fire statistics were obtained from reports by the Fire Analysis and Research Division of the National Fire Protection Association. 

*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Nov. 1 2012 and ends on Nov 15, 2012 at midnight EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a Energizer Family Safety Kit for my review.

Peak Auto Travel Tips and Wiper Review - Road Trip

 

One of the most important (if not the very most) things on a Road Trip your car. This is going to be the form of transportation that gets you from point A to point B. Because we live in Washington and because it does still rain here in the Summer windshield wipers are very important. It seems like we go through them quiet often on our vehicles, replacing them almost yearly it seems like. With Peak Auto we were able to get new wiper blades on our minivan before we started on our journey.

My husband easily installed the Peak Optix Flat Blades on our Dodge with literally a snap. The instructions inside showed each type and you picked the right piece according to what your wiper looks like. So easy and so simple. He snapped it out and snapped it in! 

Taking off the old blade.

The simple pictured instructions.

Snapping the new blades on.

 About the Peak Optix Flat Blade-

• Curved design hugs windshield to provide clean wipe in any weather
• Blade lengths range from 15"-28"
• New EZSNAP™ Multiple Connector System covers 98% of vehicle fitments
• Aerodynamic spoiler reduces wind lift
• Frameless technology prevents ice and snow buildup.

Ten Summer Travel Car Care and Gas Saving Tips:

Before you get on the road

1.    Get a Check-Up: Having your vehicle regularly serviced by a trusted technician is essential year-round. However, bringing your car in for a check-up before you take off for vacation could help identify any problems before they surface on a long trip.

2.    Check Your Tires:  Dealing with a flat tire while you’re on vacation can ruin a trip so remember to have your tires checked. If they need to be replaced, it is crucial to have this done.

3.    Check Your Windshield Wipers: Properly functioning windshield wipers are a fundamental part of traveling long distances by car. Even if you’ve checked the forecast (which is highly recommended), weather is ultimately unpredictable; you never know what road conditions you might run in to. PEAK offers high quality Flat Wiper Blades that are durable, and the installation is quick and simple.

4.    Focus on Driving: Be sure to have activities, books or games along to keep your kids occupied so that you can focus all of your attention to the road. 

5.    Don’t Forget Maps: Be prepared with maps – the old fashion kind. Electronics can malfunction and cell phones may lose their signal. Having a folding map along for the ride could prevent a disaster.

While you’re on the road

6.    Check Gas Levels: Always be aware of your gas level and where the next gas station is. If your tank drops below half-full and you’re not sure how far the next gas station is, save yourself the worry and fill up while you have the chance. 

7.    Bring a Power Inverter: Carry a power inverter to keep your electronics charged – most importantly, your cell phone. It’s imperative to have a mobile device fully charged in the event of an emergency on the road. PEAK offers a 150 Watt Power Cup Inverter that fits into your vehicle’s cup holder and provides two power outlets and two USB plug-ins.

8.    An Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit handy. This kit should include flares and an emergency flashlight in the event that you have car trouble at night. It’s also important to have water, blankets, snacks, fresh batteries, a cell phone charger, a first aid kit and jumper cables. If you do have to jump start your car, PEAK’s portable power systems will do the work for you without the need of another vehicle.

Gas saving tips

9.    Make Sure Tires are Properly Inflated: Make sure tires are inflated to your car’s specifications, as underinflated tires will cause your car to waste gas. Specifications can be found on a sticker on the driver’s door or in a car manual. 

10.  Use Cruise Control:  Anytime you can avoid breaking and accelerating, will save you gas.

PEAK Automotive Products are sold at more than 20,000 retail outlets in the U.S., including Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Sears, True Value Hardware, AutoZone and NAPA.

 For more PEAK news, DIY tips, and giveaways visit PEAK AUTO Shop Talk, the Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/peakauto, or follow @PEAKAuto on Twitter. 

 *I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the product mentioned in this post for my review.

Harness Buddy, Safety Harness, Kid Backpack Leash

Whatever you want to call it I use one now. I was the lady at the state fair with the leash on my kid lol. Yes we got stares, smiles, "how cute" with a wave to my son and it sparked many conversations with other parents about safety harnesses. One family told us about a kid who was lost at the fair for a bit but thankfully found and how a harness or backpack like the one my son had on would have helped. Another couple mentioned they had one but their child would not wear it, she had her toddler in a backpack style carrier and looked exhausted. We both laughed when we said my kid is a runner. Funny how some kids will run out into anything to check it out and others will stand back and observe. We saw about 25 other families using one too.

My son is not a hand holder. You could promise and give him a toy store and candy store for hand holding and he would tell you no way! He is a runner as well, he is so fast it amazes me, hes good at soccer but its not good for crowded events like the fair and amusement parks.

He did not need it the whole time, when we went into sectioned areas like the Farm area we took it off of him.

It made it much easier for him to realize he needed to stay close by. He did not pull or strain like a dog on a leash lol he just kinda knew he could not take off. He would ask for "my monkey" when I took it off of him to eat or get his diaper changed. Until I can get him to understand he needs to stay close or hold my hand I will be the Mom with the kid on a leash, and I am ok with that!!