Child identity theft is more common than most parents realize. Research shows that our kids could be 50 times more likely to have their identities stolen than we are. The fact is, kids’ pristine credit records can be far more valuable than yours or mine. Not only do they provide a … [Read more...]
Is There Arsenic in That Rice Cereal You’re Feeding Your Baby?
Generations of moms in my family have sworn by mixing a tablespoon of rice cereal into a baby’s bottle before bed. My mom, aunt and cousins swear it fills up their tummies and helps them sleep through the night. My pediatrician, on the other hand, swears it's a bad idea. He warns … [Read more...]
‘Ditch The Laundry Detergent Pods’ – Consumer Reports
Source: The Problem With Laundry Detergent Pods - Consumer Reports We often hear about freak accidents where a child is seriously injured or killed due to a seemingly benign product. The first reaction for many parents is to shrug it off and place blame on an irresponsible … [Read more...]
You Need My Social Security Number But You Won’t Give Me Your Employee ID?
By now, most people know that their Social Security number is the key to their identity, so they need to be very judicious about who they share it with. Most security experts agree you should even decline to give it to your doctor or your child's school unless it is absolutely … [Read more...]
How I Forced the Credit Bureaus to Freeze My Child’s Credit
When I first began covering credit freezes, I was shocked that the bureaus would not let me freeze my child’s credit.As I've mentioned in several blog posts and broadcast news stories, a credit freeze is widely believed to be the single best tool to prevent financial ID theft. It … [Read more...]
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Kids’ Sunscreen? Check Here!
So there I am, standing in front of the sunscreen aisle at a baby superstore with my 6-month old in the stroller, my dog-child in the basket underneath and my face buried in my iPhone. I must have been the picture of a "Basic" Bay Area Mom (insert eye roll here). No, I wasn't … [Read more...]
Car Seat Safety Standards Leading to More Child Deaths
Car seat safety standards may contribute to kids forgotten in hot cars. It seems every summer we hear shocking stories of children left to die in hot cars. In most cases, it's a heart wrenching accident that leaves many parents thinking one of two things: "I would never do that!" or … [Read more...]
A Wireless-Free Bedroom – What About Baby Monitors?
A Follow-Up to "Why I Declared Our Bedroom a Wireless-Free Zone." A couple of weeks ago while covering a story, I interviewed one of the foremost experts on (and critics of) electromagnetic radiation. During the interview I asked him a personal aside: "How dangerous is it that I … [Read more...]
Why I Chose to Ban Cell Phones From the Bedroom
Surveys find most people don't realize that, according to manufacturer recommendations, their cell phones should be kept between .3" and 1" inch away from their body at all times. I'm not "most people."As a Consumer-Investigative Reporter, I've covered far too many stories about the … [Read more...]
10 Must-Haves for Travel With Toddlers
Travel with Toddlers Isn't Easy—But These Can Help! We travel... A lot. At 21 months old, my toddler had logged over 60 flight hours, and she continues to sleep in her travel crib an average of two weekends a month. As a result, I have a lot of experience surviving airports, … [Read more...]