Home of the Week
Madison graduation 2012
Warren County CC graduation
Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2011 > March > 12 > Entry
New first-aid products, and a safer scarf for kids
Ah, spring: This welcome season will not only bring rains, but also the sprains and strains of high school and junior high track to our household.
Just in time, a box of ACE brand products from 3M arrived in the Adventures in Motherhood mailbag. We’ve already stashed the reusable cold compress in the freezer (and it’s already soothed my teenager’s neck twinge during his last week of wrestling), but my favorite ACE product by far is their self-adhering bandage.
What? No sharp metal stays to poke your finger with? No cloth wrap that gets stretched out after a few uses? YES! I love this product!
The bandage is made of a gripping material similar to those waffle-weave pads that help stop scatter rugs from slipping. It can be washed and reused, and it’s latex-free. And it’s so easy to use, my 12-year-old successfully wrapped her 5-year-old brother’s leg in the trial run.
![mms_picture[4].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/mommy/upload/2011/03/new_firstaid_pr/mms_picture%5B4%5D.jpg)
For a complete catalog of ACE brand products, click here. Bonus material: There are printable coupons for up to $2 off under the Special Offers tab on the website.
And once the weather breaks and that younger one’s skates and scooter come out of hibernation in the garage, we’re inevitably going to need some more boo-boo fixers.
So I reach into that magic mailbag again and out comes a sample of a really innovative product: the Cool Gel ‘n Cap, a first-aid hat that’s also a fun costume. I know it it sounds weird, but check out the picture and you’ll see what I mean.
![mms_picture[3].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/mommy/upload/2011/03/new_firstaid_pr/mms_picture%5B3%5D.jpg)
The cute caps — now available in Toby the Puppy or Tulip the Bunny, with a friendly bear and hippo to come, according to the maker — have little pockets that hold an ice pack in place for bumps, bruises, earaches, headaches, whatever.
The product, designed by parents Timothy and Ewelina Panicali, leave the caregivers’ hands free to comfort and calm the child with a warm hug, or to make a call to the doctor if the situation requires it.
My 5-year-old actually likes to wear this hat even when he’s not injured! But he also happily wore it during a recent bout with fever. While he would only endure our old ice pack (or “freezie,” as he calls it) for a few moments, he would wear his puppy cap on his head for hours if we let him.
Each kit includes two nontoxic gel packs that can be heated or cooled, as well as an instant ice pack for emergencies or on-the-go (perfect for the glove compartment or diaper bag). A coloring book featuring all the fun Cool Gel ‘n Cap characters is also included in the package.
Cool Gel ‘n Caps are currently available for purchase for $19.99 at coolgelncap.net, and are currently on sale at Walgreens for $16.99.
Next up for review is the Snickey, i.e., “It’s not a scarf, it’s not a dickey, it’s a … SNICKEY!” That’s the tagline for this nifty little item from Mothers in Mind.
Mothers in Mind was founded by Christine Matthews, a mother of twins, to provide innovative products for solving common challenges.
And since we woke up to snow-covered ground this morning even though it’s March 11th, there’s still time to get good use out of this garment.
![mms_picture[2].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/mommy/upload/2011/03/new_firstaid_pr/mms_picture%5B2%5D.jpg)
My only question is: Does anyone out there besides my 79-year-old mother wear dickeys anymore? I stopped wearing them when I found out what they’re called. Ridiculous.
… Anyway, this new product tops a traditional scarf in many ways. Here are some thoughts from the maker, with my asides in parantheses:
— The Snickey is made of soft, lightweight fleece with a Velcro fastener so it’s easy to put on and take off. (No more mummy-wrapping a toddler’s neck and worrying about them not being able to breathe while they’re playing in the snow!)
— The Snickey is safer because it quickly disengages if caught on something. (We’ve all heard the horror stories about the ends of scarves being caught in bus doors — worry no more. This fits securely around the neck with no loose ends flapping.)
These comfortable little cuffs are Made in the USA and come in a variety of colors and sizes, and can even be personalized. My 5-year-old loves his camouflage Snickey, and couldn’t wait to wear it to school. And honestly, even on the subzero days, I can’t normally get him to even consider a scarf. Mom wins!
Since it’s toasty but not bulky like a traditional wrap, it would make the perfect gift not only for kids, but for runners, senior citizens and winter sports fans alike.
Find them online at MySnickey.com for about $17 each.
Disclosure: Featured products were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Great deals, Helpful tips, Product review, Safety
Tweet
Comments