Mattresses Page

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

by: D Ruplinger

Purchasing a mattress is the most important furniture purchase you?ll make because you spend more time on a mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own, unless you have a tendency to fall asleep every night in a recliner like my husband does.

The seven items below are things you should be aware of and to consider before you purchase a mattress since that mattress will be a huge factor in the quality of sleep you receive each evening.

1) Decide on a budget. The prices of mattresses vary a great deal. If price is your number one consideration you can find an inexpensive mattress and box spring set for a few hundred dollars. But I recommend buying the best mattress and box spring you can afford. When you buy a mattress you get what you pay for. My first two mattress purchases were based on price and I never really got a good night?s sleep. I saved and bought a high quality mattress a few years ago. It was a great buying decision. I now wake up feeling rested and refreshed, not tired and sore like I used to.

2) Decide what size mattress you are going to buy. If you are buying a mattress for a child a twin size mattress is fine, but if you are an adult and there are two people sleeping in your bed I don?t recommend going with anything smaller than a queen size bed. If you can afford a king-size bed and you have the room for it, I recommend it.

I now own a king size bed and it?s nice having enough space in bed to move around a little without disturbing my partner like I used to. In our old bed (a full size) I once accidentally hit my husband in the mouth in the middle of the night when I rolled over and flung my arm out. He was not a happy person! If you think a full-size mattress is big enough for two people consider this: a full size mattress gives each person the same amount of bed width as in a baby crib. Queen size mattresses are the most popular size but if two people are sleeping in a queen size bed each person still has 10 ? inches less bed width than if they were sleeping by themselves in a twin bed.

The standard sizes of mattresses are: TWIN: 39? wide, 75? long; TWIN EXTRA LONG: 38? wide; 80? long; DOUBLE/FULL: 54? wide, 75? long; QUEEN: 60? wide, 80? long; KING: 76? wide, 80? long; CALIFORNIA KING: 72? wide, 84? long.

3) Test. Test. Test. Try out mattresses. Go to several stores and lay down on different mattresses. See what you find comfortable. A firm mattress isn?t always the best mattress. It depends on the individual. If you and your partner prefer different firmness levels look for a mattress that can have different firmness levels on each side. For example, I prefer a firmer mattress than my husband does so his side of the bed is less firm than mine. Comfort (as long as you are in your within the range of your budget) should be your number one consideration.

4) Don?t be too concerned about the words, firm, extra firm, etc. especially when looking at mattresses from different manufacturers. Firmness is not standardized in the mattress industry. One manufacturer?s ?firm? mattress may actually be firmer than another manufacturer?s ?extra firm? mattress. Look for comfort and support. You want to feel cradled and supported when you lay on a mattress. And don?t feel self-conscious about going into stores and lying on as many mattresses as you want. It?s the best way to tell if a mattress is or isn?t right for you. The best way to check out the mattress is to take off your shoes and your coat if you?re wearing on. Lying on a mattress with your coat and shoes on is not going to help you determine what mattress is right for you unless you plan on sleeping in your coat and shoes every night.

5) Warranty is important but not as important as you might think. A mattress with a 25 year warranty is great, but the life expectancy of a great quality mattress is only about 10 years. You want a warranty to protect you from defects and problems. To me a sleep guarantee is more important than a long warranty. What I mean by a sleep guarantee is that you are given a period of time to try out your mattress. For example, some stores and manufacturers give sleep guarantees of up to 90 days although 30 days is the most common. If during that time you decide the mattress you purchased is not right for you, you are able to either exchange it or return it for a refund.

For example, when I purchased my last mattress from a sleep specialty store that custom builds each mattress (Verlo), it came with a 60 day sleep guarantee or trial period. If we didn?t like the mattress the store would come to our house, pick up the mattress, take it back to their factory and rebuild it for us. I liked that peace of mind. After sleeping on our mattress for a few weeks I decided my side was a little too firm. We called the store where we bought it and made an appointment for them to come and pick it up. The store picked up our mattress in the morning, took it to their store/factory, rebuilt it, and returned it late the same day. They did this so we wouldn?t be without a mattress to sleep on.

6) Get familiar with the following terms: innerspring and box spring (also called the foundation). Innerspring mattresses are, by far, the most common type of mattress purchased. An innerspring mattress is made with tempered steel coils encased in layers of cushioning and upholstery. The box spring or foundation is what the mattress sits on. It?s generally not considered a good idea to put a new mattress on an old box spring. A manufacturer?s box spring and mattress are designed to work together to give you the best product. In addition, many manufacturers will void their warranty if a mattress is not placed on the box spring that is designed to go with it.

7) Know what choices you have besides the traditional innerspring and box spring sets. There are other viable options depending on what you are looking for. Those options include foam mattresses, futons, airbeds, adjustable beds, and waterbeds.

Foam mattresses ? a foam mattress can be made of solid foam piece or may be composed of several layers of different types of foam. Some foam mattresses have a top layer that is composed of memory foam that remembers the shape of your body and conforms to it.

Futons ? futon beds are basically a frame with a folding mattress on it. A futon can function as both a sofa and a bed. Most futons come with a standard 6 inch foam mattress, which isn?t very comfortable if the futon is going to be a person?s primary bed. If the futon is going to be a primary bed a better option is to purchase an innerspring mattress for the bed. Several manufacturers make innerspring mattresses for futons. The innerspring mattresses are more expensive but are also a whole lot more comfortable. If an innerspring mattress is out of your price range, try to at least upgrade to an 8 inch foam mattress.

Airbed ? an airbed is just what it sounds like ? a bed full of air. Most airbeds are touted as being portable, easy to set-up, and easy to store after use. I have an airbed at my house for use as an extra mattress during the holidays when we always seem to have more overnight guests than beds. Today?s airbeds are a lot more than inflatable pieces of plastic. Our airbed has a pillow top mattress which makes it surprisingly comfortable. Some airbeds have adjustable firmness levels and/or a heated top to make them more comfortable.

Adjustable beds ? an adjustable bed is a lot like a hospital bed because it allows you to adjust the head and foot of the bed to your liking. Adjustable beds come in all sizes and the larger sizes have separate controls for each side of the bed.

Waterbeds ? today?s waterbeds are more sturdy than the wobbly water-filled mattresses from the 70?s that you could get seasick on. The latest designs are built to look like an innerspring/box spring set. The interior of the mattress has layers of baffling and upholstery to provide support and comfort (www.mattressespro.com/watermattress).

There are a lot of choices in mattresses today. If you do a little research and become familiar with the different types of mattresses available to you before you start to shop, the task of finding the right mattress for you will be easier.

About The Author

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.mattressespro.com. For more information about mattresses, mattress ratings, and mattress sizes, visit http://www.mattressespro.com.

Are YOU Killing Your Baby?

Are YOU Killing Your Baby?

by: Kristine Peterson

Pretty harsh title isn?t it! Most of us parents make it a daily priority to keep our children safe from all sorts of hazards. We worry about the food they are eating, the beverages they drink, and if they are warm enough or cool enough. We teach them about not talking to strangers and how to cross a street safely. We teach them the hazards of drugs, smoking and drinking. But, even if you do all this, you could still be killing your child!

A couple very common preservatives found in baby shampoo are imidozliidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea. These can cause dermatitis. Cosmetic talc is carcinogenic and is found in baby powders. Talc based powder has been linked to ovarian cancer! Propylene Glycol is reported to have SEVERE adverse effects on the health; dermatitis, allergies, kidney and liver damage to name a few. These are found in baby products such as wipes and lotions. Sodium Laurel, Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate are skin irritants and reported as being toxic. They have a tendency to react with other ingredients to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. Studies have shown that these chemicals penetrate the eyes, heart, liver and brain. This is the main ingredient in shampoos, baby shampoos, and toothpaste!

Flame-retardants are another very harmful item! These have a chemical structure similar to dioxins and PCBs. They accumulate in the body and build up in the food chain. They may affect hormone function and be toxic to the developing brain! Because PBDEs dissolve readily in fat, they can accumulate in breast milk and be transferred to babies and young children! They have even been shown to cross the placenta and reach developing fetuses in utero! Flame-retardants can also be absorbed into the skin. Where do we find flame-retardants? On our mattresses, furniture, carpets, and some clothing for babies! So, when you put your baby to bed on that beautiful baby mattress you are exposing your baby to chemicals that could cause terrible health problems and possibly even death!

I was shocked to find that formaldehyde is used in products that I use every day! I had previously thought it was only used to embalm dead bodies. Then I found that some of the most commonly used preservatives could also break down into formaldehyde! Where are these chemicals found along with formaldehyde itself? Shampoos, cosmetics, nail polishes, and permanent press sheets and mattresses to name a few. Formaldehyde, is allergy producing, and can cause insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and skin rashes.

So, here we have Baby on a mattress that has been treated with chemicals to make it flame retardant, and also formaldehyde! We put formaldehyde on their little bodies in the form of lotions and shampoos! At the very least we are causing them to be unhealthy and at the worst we are bringing them death! How sad is it that most of us aren?t even aware of all the harmful things we expose our babies to?

The answer to these problems is to be aware! Did you know that wool is a natural flame retardant? No chemicals in natural wool! There are also shampoos and lotions being made with no harmful chemicals in them and there are mattresses being made from all natural wool and organic cottons. No chemicals of any kind! Lets keep our children really safe be choosing to surround them with organic and natural substances that are completely chemical free!

About The Author

Kristine Peterson

I am a health conscious individual that spends a lot of time researching different ways of thinking. It is important to me to think outside the box or the matrix if you will! I do not believe and accept everything I see, read, or hear. Some things I have found to be truths for my own life and those things I pass on to you. My maxims are "think for yourself" and "listen to your whole self, body, mind and soul!" I have found that if I do those two things I am always happy! The goal of my web site is to supply those of you that have made the choice to go natural with quality products! www.naturallivingbychoice.com

A Look At Allergy Products

A Look At Allergy Products

by: Gray Rollins

Do allergy products really make a difference? Plenty of specialty products exist, and if you are looking, you can you find products for every room in the home and practically every part of your body. HEPA air filters and filters for your vacuum cleaner; 100% pure cotton bedding and pillows; masks that you can wear at work, at play and at home; cleaning supplies; cases to stuff your mattresses in; throat moisturizers; cosmetics; dehumidifiers; toys that can be washed; the list goes on and on.

Take a peek on the Internet and you?ll find pages of websites offering allergy products of all sorts and all price ranges. Allergy products are big business and to allergy sufferers, these products look to be the answer to all of their suffering.

If you suffer from allergies, you too might be tempted to jump on the allergy products bandwagon. Before you do, it?s important to realize that the answer to whether any of these products work or not is a bit more complicated than it seems on the surface.

Several allergy-related issues need to be addressed before you whip out your credit card. Otherwise the allergy products you select might not be the great deal you had expected. First of all, be certain you know what it is you are allergic to. Are you allergic to pet dander, dust mites, food, grass, or what? If you know, that?s great. If you don?t, you might want to first go through a round of allergy tests to determine your nemesis.

Once you know what it is you are allergic to you then need to spend some time reading the descriptions of the allergy products before you purchase any. Why? Because the allergy products you may be interested in might not be designed to alleviate the allergens that cause your problems. For example, the purpose of an air filter is to remove airborne allergens, the ones that spend the majority of their time suspended in air, like pet dander.

Dust mite droppings are only in the air a short time, when they?re first released or when a vacuum cleaner stirs them up from their resting place on the ground. An expensive air filter won?t benefit you if you are sensitive to dust mites. However, a casing to enclose your mattress or your pillows will, as these are designed to keep the allergens from coming into contact with you.

Getting back to air filters, most are not effective for dealing with plant-based allergens, even though these are considered airborne allergens. In the case of ragweed, grass clippings and other such irritants, it is better to keep these from entering the home in the first place by closing doors and windows and running an air conditioner.

Are you beginning to understand what is involved with selecting the right allergy products? When in doubt, the best advice is to discuss the subject of allergy products with your allergist. You?re more likely to get an accurate, unbiased answer to your questions about allergy products.

About The Author

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for http://www.withallergies.com. To learn more about allergy prodcuts, please visit http://www.withallergies.com/allergyproducts/.

Adjustable Beds - Not Just For the Elderly!

Adjustable Beds - Not Just For the Elderly!

by: Neil Teasdale

In an ever increasing market for the ultimate Sleep System, most people still believe that the Adjustable Bed which was originally used in Hospitals and Homes for the Elderly are still that. A bed that can help the elderly in and out of bed! Although they are extremely helpful in these situations, they can also be very important for anybody in today?s lifestyle.

Now any sincere knowledgeable mattress salesman won?t push the watching TV or reading in bed, it?s not something that we should recommend. But with today?s lifestyles, this has become a normal way of life for some people. Sitting in bed watching TV, working to make the big deadline is OK, if that?s your choice. But propping up two pillows every 3 minutes is probably not doing any good to your back or any other part of your body for that matter. If this sounds like you, maybe your next mattress purchase should have an adjustable base as well.

There are many ?side affects? from poor sleep and sleep habits that might also be a clue for you to check out the benefits of the adjustable bed. Some of the health issues are back problems, neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, circulatory problems, gastric reflux at night, snoring, breathing problems. Not only does an adjustable bed provide serious convenience with regards to helping people in and out of bed but there are many health benefits that can be taken advantage of for anyone.

Tossing and turning at night on their mattress is the most common reason that people don't sleep well at night. The main reason people toss and turn at night is pressure points; traditional coil and spring mattresses put pressure on different areas of your body causing restricted circulation to those areas, when your body becomes uncomfortable you turn to a new position. Another reason for tossing and turning is improper spinal alignment. All traditional mattresses are flat but our bodies are curved, the traditional mattress fails to offer the lumbar region enough support often allowing your lower back and hips to sink below the rest of your body. This causes pressure and discomfort in that area which causes your body to turn to a new position.

Adjustable sleep systems offer you several great benefits. Obviously, the adjustable base is only that, an adjustable base. To get all the benefits out of your adjustable base you need the proper mattress to work with it. Together they can create a totally pressure free environment while you sleep. Many studies have been done with the space program; the best known is the creation of memory foam. But there is more that was learned from the way astronauts sleep in space. Well our astronauts sleep in a totally pressure free environment experience all the time, floating in space. In studying the way astronauts sleep in space we have discovered a few interesting things. First off, their heads stay slightly elevated allowing for easier breathing. Secondly and probably more importantly, we see that their knees naturally bend and elevate slightly above the heart. This position takes pressure off the spine and allows for increased blood flow to the heart.

Only an adjustable bed can mimic this extremely comfortable and healthy position. Keeping your body in our natural sleep position reduces the pressure on your skeletal frame more than 85% ensuring you will get the deepest most restful sleep possible.

What to Look For

An adjustable sleep system consists of two parts, the base and the mattress.

The Base: There are really two types of adjustable beds, the commercial model used in Hospitals and regular consumer models. The commercial product is very heavy duty and usually has rails on the sides to help someone pull themselves up. These models are extremely expensive and are not very esthetically pleasing for home use, unless your health requires it.

- Concentrate on the frame construction; you want the heavy duty construction with the look of an elegant piece of furniture. Preferably, a regular box spring appearance giving you the ability to dress it how you like it.

- Look for quality motors at the ?head and foot.? Make sure they are UL Listed and CSA approved. Preferably a Freefall Design so the head and foot sections lower by gravity only, this will ensure the motor gets extended life. Also ensure that it?s equipped with insulated rubber wheels for smooth, quiet operation.

- A Polarized ?Modular? electrical system is the way to go as it ensures you won?t have any stray wires and with the plug-in feature makes service a snap.

- Look for at least a 50 degree incline at ?both head and foot?, 60 degrees is optimal.

- Make sure the legs have threaded glides allowing you to adjust the height of the bed to your liking.

- Now depending on your preference, make sure there?s the availability of a massager. I don?t know about you but I like the massager, it provides that little bit extra pampering you need at the end of some days. Some brands you have no choice, either you get it and pay for it or you can?t get it. Having a choice is always nice.

- Same goes for the remote, it?s nice to have the choice between wired or wireless.

The Mattress: Your mattress is the single most important component of any bed, adjustable or not, even if your foundation was the corner of 4th and Main. The proper mattress should provide the proper support, pressure relief and spinal alignment even in this situation.

- Many companies only offer coil and spring mattresses with their adjustable bases. This is not exactly the best case scenario. The coil and spring mattresses are not very pliable and don't really work well with an adjustable base and often need replacing every five years.

- There are other very luxurious choices ?at a fraction of the price? that you would benefit from with use of your adjustable base. All are designed to offer you pressure relief, proper spinal alignment and a more breathable sleep surface. Air Mattress Beds work well with the adjustable base when they are equipped with horizontal chambers, the chambers follow the contour of the bed nicely. Although this works well, it?s still not the optimal choice.

- Try looking at a Memory Foam or Latex mattress, these mattresses are made from highly specialized foams and are more durable and pliable than coils and springs, as a result they will work in unison with the adjustable base to provide you with the ultimate adjustable sleep experience. Not to mention your mattress will most probably last for its intended life and these foam mattresses can go for twenty years.

- The final tip is to stay away from the deal that promises, ?Mattress Included? rarely does this mean your getting any quality in the mattress they?re giving you. Just ?FOAM? doesn?t mean Memory or Latex foam; check it out to make sure.

So depending on your lifestyle or if your health dictates (I hope this isn?t the case) check out all the health and convenience benefits of a quality adjustable bed, but don?t forget the ?quality? mattress!!

About The Author

Neil Teasdale

Why Sleep On Coils and Springs When You Can Sleep On Air?

Cloud 9 Air Mattress Beds are dedicated to bringing the public an affordable alternative for Top Quality Sleep Systems. Our Discount Air Mattress Beds, Adjustable Beds, Talalay Latex Beds, Memory Foam Beds come factory direct for huge savings. Our Top Quality Products can only be surpassed by our mission to provide Superior Customer Excellence. Free Shipping!!

Find out more click: http://cloud9airmattressbeds.com/adjustable_beds.html

customercare@cloud9airmattressbeds.com

Camping For Fun Begins With The Right Supplies

Camping For Fun Begins With The Right Supplies

by: Ranger Bob

Camping for Fun begins with making sure you've taken along all the right supplies. Use this checklist to be sure!

Camp cooking

Hot dog stick you may not cut any thing down to make them

Folding chairs

Plastic table cloth

Lighter and matches in a water proof container

Screened tent room for over the picnic table (optional)

Binoculars

Bungi cords

Plastic clamps

Bug spray

Camera

Cards

Compass

Cloth pins

Duct tape

Flash light with extra batteries

Frisbee

Fishing gear if going fishing

Kites

lantern and extra fuel and mantles

Camp shower and rope at least 50 ft

Whistle

Sun block

Pen and paper

Radio

Knife and axe

First aide Kit

Shelter and sleeping essentials.

Tent

Screened tent (optional)

Sleeping bags

2 plastic tarps or ground sheets.

Pillows for all

Air mattresses or sleeping pads for all

Cooler box Dry no ice

Salt and pepper

Herbs and spices

Cooking oil

Pot holders

Paper towels

Trash bags

aluminum foil

Plastic silver ware (I prefer to buy a set of metal flat wear at the dollar store)

Plastic bowls plate etc.

Cups to drink from and plastic glasses

Dish soap

Zip lock bags

Can opener If you forget this you can use a sturdy knife to open cans.

Cooking Essentials

Water

Food

Cooler one with wheels is nice

Water

Food

Camp stove and fuel

Mess kit

Charcoal and barbecue portable one.

Rope 50 ft for a clothes line

Cloths I will leave for you to decide but be sure every one has a warm sweater of coat as the evenings in the mountains or on the prairies can get cool. Be sure every one has a hat to protect them from the sun.

Cleaning items

Detergent of dishes

1 Plastic bucket

Dish cloth

Broom

You will need to remember to bring personal hygiene stuff for everyone even T.P. as soon places run short on busy weekends. Any medication that is needed as well as aspirin make sure you have a good first aide kit. This is but a short list of things you will need but you get the picture. You will find more stuff that is needed after your first trip. Be sure to bring marshmallows a bag or two depending on how long you will be going for.

The public and private camp ground are the most popular. The public campgrounds are run by a government agency this will include all in the national parks and the state parks or provincial parks Most will require you to make reservations on line in advance .How ever there are still the one that work on the first come first served So do some research and find the campsite for you and you family.

The public owned and private owned camping grounds are on the inter net and can also be found at any tourist bureau in the areas you are looking to go camping in. Most government run parks are funded by the governments of the state or the province and will be the first to fill up on the summer holidays .The private parks will fill up very fast as well so you may have to plan your trip well in advance of the time you will leave in. With more people out and about in the summer time planning will allow you to find a site for you and your family.

I find that the kids with there skills on the computer can find all the camping site for you pretty fast So start a new adventure go camping

About The Author

Ranger Bob has been having fun camping for years and wants to share all his knowledge with you so be sure to visit him at http://www.camping-for-fun.net/.

Alleviate Back Pain for Restful Sleep

Alleviate Back Pain for Restful Sleep

by: Chris Robertson

Although the common wisdom is that we spend a third of our lives sleeping, many of us don't get the quantity or the quality of sleep we need. Our hectic lifestyles and the 24-7-365 availability of distractions such as cable television and the Internet can cause us to cut back on the seven to nine hours of sleep that experts recommend we get each night. But even if we shoot for an adequate quantity of sleep, back pain and other problems can prevent us from getting the quality of sleep we need.

When lower back pain, neck pain, snoring, or a sleep disorder prevents us from getting the sleep we need, we accumulate what experts term a "sleep debt." One or two nights of restless or inadequate sleep won't harm us, but a pattern of sleep disruptions can have serious repercussions on our health, ranging from mental fuzziness and mood swings to cessations of breathing and even death. According to the National Sleep Foundation, "Sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, and safety issues in the home, on the job, and on the road."

When back pain or neck pain causes sleep disruptions, it may be time to invest in a new mattress. Mattresses that use natural fibers, such as cotton, tend to harden over time, while box springs can begin to sag. A mattress that has outlived its usefulness forces you to sleep in positions that cause or exacerbate lower back pain and neck pain. While a new mattress set is an investment, it is one that will repay you a hundredfold in the form of mental alertness and physical energy that comes from getting restful sleep.

Sleep culprits like neck pain and snoring can often be alleviated with a new pillow. Special posture pillows are available that provide back and neck support, and that can raise your head enough to reduce snoring. A sleep posture pillow may take a period of adjustment, since your body will need to get used to a new position, but the positive effects should kick in within two to three weeks.

Keep in mind that severe snoring can sometimes be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the tissues at the back of the throat block the airway. This causes the person with sleep apnea to stop breathing for a moment and then awaken. Sleep apnea can cause dozens of awakenings each hour, and can be a life-threatening condition. The bed partner of a person with sleep apnea is often the first to know something is wrong, since he or she can hear the person snoring and hear pauses in breathing, usually followed by a snort or a loud snore.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it's important to have the condition properly diagnosed through a sleep study conducted overnight in a sleep lab. Treatment is most often the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine that pushes air through the throat and into the lungs during sleep. Like a sleep posture pillow, a CPAP machine takes some getting used to. But it's a minor adjustment compared with the benefits of restful sleep.

About The Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of

Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

To learn more about subjects like back pain please visit the web site at:

http://www.sleepposture.com/index.shtml

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Health and Beauty directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Health_and_Beauty

Baby Cribs Safety Checklist

Baby Cribs Safety Checklist

by: Parvati Markus

Congratulations! You?ve got a baby on the way!

Once your baby has arrived, one of the most important parts of your new life together will be getting a good night?s sleep ? you in your bed, the baby in a safe and comfortable crib. At first, you may want your newborn to sleep in a bassinet by your bed, making it a little easier for breastfeeding moms, but have a crib ready by the time your baby can roll over.

Your baby will spend more time in the crib than anywhere else, so safety is of utmost importance. What makes a crib safe?

* The bars or slats of the crib railing should be no more than 2-3/8" apart, close enough together to prevent your baby?s head from slipping through or getting stuck. That crib in the attic may be a beautiful antique, but it probably does not meet this safety standard. Secondhand older cribs may also have splinters or lead paint as well as slats that are too far apart.

* Cribs with cutout designs along the rail may look pretty, but your baby?s arm or neck could get stuck in them.

* The crib must be sturdy. Your child will sleep in a crib until it?s time to move into a regular bed between the ages of 2 and 3. When shopping for the crib, give it a good shake to see if it wobbles or rattles.

* Construction materials should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech or oak. The use of inferior woods can potentially weaken or warp the slats. Some metal cribs are also very sturdy and secure. All finish materials must be lead free and non-toxic.

* For safety, the dropsides must be at least 9" above the mattress support when lowered. When the side is raised, the top must be at least 26" above the support at its lowest position. You should have no trouble quietly raising and lowering the side rail easily with one hand, since chances are you?ll have a sleeping baby in your arms.

* Make things a little easier on your back by choosing a crib with an adjustable height mattress. A newborn can rest higher in the crib, while a baby who can sit up needs a lower mattress so he can?t climb out. You can change the height of most mattresses by simply raising or lowering the mattress support.

* Check the hardware on the crib for sharp edges or points or anything else that could hurt your baby.

* The mattress should fit snugly into the crib. If you can fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib, it is too small. Keep an eye on foam mattresses; over time, they may break down at the edges and leave gaps. Check the mattress support to make sure there are safety clips that lock the hangers into their notches.

* Use nonflammable and hypoallergenic bumper padding attached to the inside railings of the crib to cushion all four sides and prevent your baby from sticking an arm or leg through the railings. Securely fasten the bumper pads to the sides of the crib in at least six places. Be sure to remove bumper pads when your baby becomes more active.

* Follow assembly instructions carefully. Periodically tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws and check teething rails for cracks. Check the mattress support hooks regularly.

* Don?t place a crib against a window, near curtains or drapery cords, or near furniture that could help your baby climb out.

* Crib toys need to be removed from the crib when baby is sleeping. And remove mobiles when baby is able to grab at objects.

Federal safety guidelines went into effect in 1973, but only since 1991 do most cribs meet all mandatory safety standards (16CFR part 1508) as set by The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the voluntary standards (ASTM F966 and F1169) as set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The Juvenile Products Manufacturers? Association (JPMA) certifies cribs that meet the safety standards.

For more information on crib safety and other nursery equipment, contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772.

About The Author

Parvati Markus

Please find the original article and more information about this subject at http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=BabyCribSafety

When Parvati Markus is not writing helpful and insightful articles like the one you just read from www.homeandliving.com, she works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A., Parvati is completing her ?residency requirement? by writing a screenplay.

If you would like to publish this article on your own site, please feel free to do so. Please let us know the url of the posted article by emailing the url to articles@homeandliving.com. All we ask is that you include the whole article, without changes, including the link to the original article location, author information, this disclaimer and the following link.

Find great home furniture online at www.homeandliving.com.

articles@homeandliving.com

A New Mattress for Better Sleep

A New Mattress for Better Sleep

by: Ben Webb

Many people complain that they always feel too tired despite getting plenty of sleep; little do they know that the mattress they are sleeping on could well be the culprit. Over time your mattress will become worn which can cause spring to losing their support and the bed becoming saggy and lumpy in places. Not only can this mean that you will not sleep properly but can also cause health problems as a result of pressure points. This can lead to stiffness of you neck, back, hips or shoulders. And worse yet it can cause long term back problems. Given all of this information it's still a surprise that so few people spend good money in their mattresses.

If you do decide to invest in your health and buy a new mattress then there are several considerations and options. If your mattress is in fairly good condition but you feel you are not quite getting comfortable enough sleep then you could consider a topper mattress. This is a fairly cheap option as you will be able to keep your original mattress and place the topper mattress directly on that. Of course if your mattress is lumpy and sagging then really you should go the whole hog and get a brand new mattress.

However many people don't give due consideration when buying new mattress. With advances in technology many people are opting for a special memory foam mattress, especially people with back conditions. Memory foam mattresses are a special material, when you lay on it your body heat and weight causes the foam to mould to your body. The result of this is your body is evenly and fully supported all over. Many chiropractors recommend memory foam mattresses including Tempur Pedic and Tri Pedic, and whilst they may not be cheap you will have to consider they last much longer than traditional coil loaded mattresses. You can get memory foam mattresses in any of the conventional sizes, which include double, queen and king sizes.

Other benefits of a memory foam mattress is that they retain heat which means it will keep you warmer at night, this could mean you could save money on heating. If you find it too hot then you will have to use a thinner blanket or duvet. If heat retention is a problem, for example if you live in a hot climate then you could consider buying a mattress that is made from natural materials as these absorb then disperse heat, rather than letting it build up, which will keep you cooler.

Of course there are still many coil loaded mattresses that can do a good job. The problem is most people buy blindly. Whenever you buy a mattress you must test the mattress out, most show rooms will allow you to lie on the mattress for an extended period of time. If you find that a little embarrassing then you could consider buying a mattress with a money back guarantee so the risk of getting a mattress that doesn’t suit you is minimized.

About The Author

Ben is a big fan of sleep! This explains his passion for seeking out the best mattresses, you can read more about mattresses here: http://www.mattressreviews.net/ which also includes further info on pedic memory foam mattresses and traditional mattresses.

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy Wool Rugs

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy Wool Rugs

by: John Murray

Wool has been around for a long time, in fact it is one of the oldest textile fiber known of. Because of its natural properties wool rugs have been known to last for generations. In our modern world there are many other textile fiber used for rugs but nothing is as durable, unique, and lasting as wool. Here are 8 reasons why you should buy wool rugs.

1. Fire Resistant

Wool is a natural fiber that is very safe because it is naturally non flammable so it does not need to be treated. Although wool can burn it cannot flare up to cause a flame that spreads. So where ever the burn starts will be where it ends as well. Wool won't melt either so it won't stick to the skin and cause a burn. That is why wool blankets, carpets, and even clothing for children are so popular. They are like having fire prevention insurance.

2. Water Repellent

Because of the tiny scales on the outer edge of wool it is very good at repelling liquid. So wool rugs are an excellent choice for high traffic areas or areas where the kids hang out. A drink spilled on a wool rug will simply need to be dabbed up. It will not absorb into the rug. If you don't believe me try it. Grab a wool sweater and pour some water on it. You'll see the water beads on the surface. The wool will absorb moisture but not liquid.

3. Versatile

Wool is one of the most versatile textures around. And there are many different types of wool from the fine style that is used to knit a beautiful sweater to the heavier styles used for rugs and carpets. The mix of sizes and colors available limits rug designs only to the imagination of the designer. Wool is so versatile it can be found in mattresses, coats, carpets, rugs, blankets, and even some paint rollers. If you want a rug that's going to look beautiful, stay fresh, and last forever buy a wool rug. And because wool is so elastic it can shows little wear, and virtually no footprints so it springy.

4 Wearability

Wool wears for a very long time staying fresh and new looking. It will not look flat or shabby for a long time. Wool has a natural coil spring built into it so rather then breaking down it springs back making it wear well, keeping its shape for a long time.

5. Resists Dirt

Because wool has a natural ability to resist dirt it stays clean a lot longer and the scales of the fiber stop dirt from penetrating the wool. This means you don't have to shampoo and clean your rug nearly as often and it will stay looking fresh and new for a lot longer.

6. No Static

Wool naturally absorbs moisture in the air which means it is very unlikely to build a static charge. So you can walk across a wool carpet with no worry about getting zapped. It's also an excellent choice around computers which can be damaged by a static charge.

7. Insulation

Wool is an excellent insulation absorbing sound and reducing noise. That's why you'll see wool carpets in offices and airports where there is a high level of noise that needs to be muted. Wool also works well in theaters or other arenas where acoustics is important.

8. Dyes

Wool is very easy to dye so you have a wide range of colors available to choose from. Wool holds color very well and lasts forever.

About The Author

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit: http://www.carpets-guide.com.

A Smoker Needs His Rest

A Smoker Needs His Rest

by: Cameron Elliott

Smoking and Sleeping

I?ll come clean: I smoke. I know, I know, it?s a bad habit, and I?m the process of quitting. But, I like having a cigar with my dad on special occasions, and after writing for hours, a cigarette break can be exactly what I need. Besides, I smoke cloves, which unlike regular cigarettes, actually smell and taste good.

But I do realize the health risks of smoking: increased heart disease, lung cancer, and emphysema, plus a whole lot more. Here?s the thing, though. I?m young. I just turned 23. At this age, it?s easy to write those things off; even if they do happen, it won?t be for another 15, 20, 30+ years.

So why am I quitting? I?ll get to the point: smoking and sleeping don?t mix. It took me a while to figure it out, but after smoking a lot and not sleeping, I began to put two and two together. The problem is nicotine is a stimulant; it will keep you up. You wouldn?t drink coffee or a coke before trying to go to bed, so why smoke? I guess if cravings were making you jittery and keeping you up, it might make sense, but that just brings me to my next point.

Nicotine is extremely addicting, and like any addictive substance, heavy users start experiencing withdrawal as soon as that last cigarette is snubbed out. In fact, heavy smokers probably won?t be able to sleep much more than 4 to 6 hours because of withdrawal symptoms.

In short, nicotine affects sleep: you get worse sleep, and less sleep when you smoke.

I?m not writing this to try and make anyone quit, or to say that smoking is bad. You?re an adult, you can make your own decisions, and you don?t need me telling you what to do.

My goal is to educate; if you smoke and can?t sleep, maybe it?s time to think about cutting back or quitting all together. If you?re in the process of quitting, congratulations. Perhaps we can quit together.

Sleeping is good, and you deserve to sleep better and longer.

About The Author

Cameron Elliott, a sleep specialist, is an internet manager for AirSleep.com where he champions the benefits of a good night's sleep both for individual health and also for a more safe and efficient world. For more information on ordering air mattresses, visit http://www.airsleep.com/overview.php/1.

celliott@create-on.com