<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">New Mom Home Makeover</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – As people begin thinking about starting a family, most parents-to-be ponder how their lives will change when their new bundle of joy arrives. However there are many changes that should come much earlier. During pregnancy, there are many hidden dangers in your home. Luckily, you only have to alter your habits slightly to ensure a safe haven for you and your new arrival.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Nursery No-no</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For most expectant mothers, decorating the nursery is an exciting project to complete in anticipation of the new addition. However, when choosing the perfect shade to splash the walls, recruit dad, grandparents or friends to help with this part. Nearly all paints — even environmentally friendly versions — emit fumes and it is unknown what their effects are on the baby. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that pregnant women avoid newly painted rooms (and their harmful odors) for at least two days after the job is done.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/1c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/1c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Bath Safety</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">As the "baby bump" continues to grow, the excess weight around the mid-section will shift a mother-to-be’s center of gravity, making her very unstable and increasing the risk of slips and falls. And, according to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause (66 percent) of all nonfatal home injuries — with the bathroom being a main culprit due to water and slick surfaces. Luckily, there are many updates to the bath that can provide added comfort and security.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For help getting in and out of the tub or shower, the Home Safety Council recommends installing grab bars. SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen are an ideal choice since they feature a unique anchor installation system that allows homeowners to install grab bars quickly and easily anywhere on the wall — without the need for a stud — for the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. Plus, they are available in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom. In addition to grab bars, a shower chair may be an additional consideration. Products such as Home Care’s new Premium Shower Chair offer comfort, convenience and safety while performing showering tasks, such as washing hair or shaving legs.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Feline Frets</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">While Fluffy may be a best buddy, her litter box is a "must avoid" for pregnant woman due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a microscopic parasite that often resides in cat feces. Don’t fret, however, this doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your cuddly kitten. Be sure to keep litter in rooms where moms won’t be exposed and let someone else in the household take over the chore of cleaning the litter boxes.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Call a Maid . . . or Not</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, most cleaning products are safe during pregnancy, so expectant status isn’t necessarily a green light to hire a maid. However, there are many things to consider that will keep mom and baby-to-be safe from harm. First, always ensure there is good ventilation and avoid using any products that say "toxic" since they have solvents that could harm the baby. Sites such as www.greenhome.com list the latest lines of environmentally friendly cleaning products. Or, for added peace of mind, just use a combination of baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning solution for just about anything in your home.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/3c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/3c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Begin to Baby-proof</strong> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Once the baby arrives, he will be mobile before you know it. So, take time now to baby-proof your home. Take an inventory of sharp corners, cabinets with dangerous objects and electrical outlets; then purchase and install the necessary safety items, such as corner pads, outlet inserts and cabinet locks to keep baby safe. Next, look for any breakable items that are low enough to be reached or heavy objects up high that could topple over. Inviting friends’ babies and toddlers over is a great way to "test" the baby-proofing efforts.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Pregnancy should be a joyous time in the lives of parents-to-be, so ensure nine months of health and happiness with these few tips. For more information on bath safety products, visit <a href="http://www.homecare.moen.com" target="_blank">www.homecare.moen.com</a> .</p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>