Are you confused? How can your brand name household cleaning products and personal care products contain harmful toxins if they’re sold at grocery stores nationwide? The truth is that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does NOT regulate personal use products. The workplace and outdoors are considered legal environments, while your home is not.

Did you know that indoor air quality is 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air in worst polluted U.S. cities, according to an EPA study? And that women who work from home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work outside home, according to a 17-year EPA study?

Labeling laws simply don’t protect consumer. The U.S. Federal Code of Regulations exempts manufacturers from full labeling of products if used for personal, family or household care! “Warning!” labels mean that as little as 1 teaspoon of product can harm or kill an adult, “Danger!” means that as little as 5 drops can harm or kill an adult. Go ahead and take a look at products in your home, you may be shocked and surprised!

Many conditions such as rising rate of childhood cancer, asthma, and ADD/ADHD are being linked to increased use of chemicals in our homes. So what can you do to protect your loved ones? Educate yourself on what’s really in products you use to bathe, deodorize and beautify yourself and your family. Study labels on your household cleaning products; anything that says “harmful to humans and domestic animals” isn’t something that’s good for you or your child.

Research your alternatives: responsible manufacturers don’t use formaldehyde, phenols, NTA, phosphates, ammonia, or chlorine (bleach) in their products, and trustworthy companies do exist. As a responsible adult and savvy consumer, you owe it to yourself and your child to make informed choices about products you allow into your environment.

As a concerned parent, you want to provide very best for your child...so start today to make safer, healthier choices!

- Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy together at completion of your decorating time.

Here are some favorite quick and dirty decorating areas and tips:

1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme oriented and you can easily change by season or by holiday. You can either hang up a completely new themed sign, or there are some that come with interchangeable pieces you swap in and out representing different holidays or themes.

2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally located but not used that often- Change table runner or tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a combination of your kid's holiday creations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on table.

3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lights and if you wish, you can also vary string of lights by color best suited for coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this area of your home.

4. Special areas by kid's choice- Smaller children can help by adding little decorations to windows and glass doors. They enjoy taping up their creations or they can easily put up static cling decorations. Other areas small children enjoy decorating include outdoors, dog house and their own rooms. Allow them to handle this aspect of decorating while you take pleasure in their big smiles and hugs!

Finally, make your decorating time even more enjoyable by having holiday background music or other favorite tunes playing in background. Then, when you're done decorating, finish up with a big family hug and munching on tasty snack treats together!

© 2003 Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings