July 2009 Notable Toys — Safety

This germ education product for toddlers and preschoolers is designed so that kids quickly go from not knowing they are spreading germs to being equipped with the knowledge of what they can do to stop the spread of germs and illness. "Many in the medical community advocate teaching children the three keys to illness prevention: keeping germs from your face, wash your hands, and cough and sneeze into your elbow. Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids does the teaching for you!" Margaret Back, president of Back Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

The innovative design and palm cushion of the Squeez-Ease prevents scratching the face and promotes sensory development in newborns. The design of the Squeez-Ease allows fingers to be free for exploration and sucking, allows for tactile development of the fingers, decreases sudden jerking of the hands and calms baby, and improves awareness of hands when cushion is squeezed. Made of an ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton. This product received a 2009 Top Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine.
Past Videos: Product demonstration

The firstSEAT REVOLUTION applies innovative patented technology utilizing an energy absorbing “Crumple Zone” design proven to greatly reduce crash forces on the child. The REVOLUTION’ shell and “Head Surround” design also focuses on side impact protection. A “Rigid Latch” system is used for anchoring into a vehicle for strength and ease of use. The seat cover system has a semi permanent liner with removable inserts for ease of cleaning. CRASH indicator panel to indicate the seat has been in an accident and needs to be taken out of service. The firstSEAT REVOLUTION is a state of the art child restraint system designed to better protect children in frontal or side impact collisions.

The Series 800 Status Collection Stages Crib, features a posh finish that will take a child from the birth to teen stages of life. It can add a touch of elegance to a child’s room in the form of a crib, toddler bed, day bed or full-sized bed with an intricate, modern detailed headboard and footboard. This innovative stages crib is crafted of solid wood products and veneers for long-lasting durability and strength. It is available in a variey of finishes: Walnut, Mahogany, Rubbed Black, Antique White and Espresso. There is a conversion kit available for purchase to convert the crib into a full-sized bed. Launch date: May 31, 2009.

This wrap-and-tie crib rail cover is designed to protect baby and protect cribs from teeth marks. It is lightly padded with a waterproof layer, and machine washable in soft Sherpa fleece. The product is available in solids of chocolate, natural, white, pink, blue and sage green, as well as the company's Max and Maya dot print. It may be purchased in one long piece for the front or back rails of the crib, or two short pieces for the side rails of the crib. "[It's] tie on, not Velcro, so can be knotted, which makes it difficult for a child to remove from crib," Marchelle Lyons, marketing coordinator for Trend Lab, told TDmonthly. "[The] waterproof layer prevents the chewing and drool from soaking the wood of the crib." Launch date: May 2009.

The Jing Joe Cooling/Warming Infant Pad is a 9.5" x 14" nylon pad with a built-in fan that draws in ambient air and delivers it out the front mesh spacer. The pad is design to fit easily in a car seat, stroller, swing or bouncer to provide a cushion of air for a child to sit up against that will keep them dry and comfortable without compromising the safety. "[An] opening on each side of the pad accommodates [the] shoulder strap so as not to compromise intended safety features, and also allows use of accessories, such as [the] padded head support and shoulder strap padding. Adjustment to the shoulder straps is required depending on size of the child," Anthony Tong, president of PaTongco LLC, told TDmonthly. The Jing Joe has received the following awards: 2009 Mom's Best Award; 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; and 2009 The Toy Man Editor's Choice. Launch date: February 17, 2009.

The 100-percent Silicone Bottle has no open pores to harbor bacteria, thereby ensuring baby is getting nutrition as pure as nature intended, without the harmful leaching of harmful chemicals. It is BPA Free, phthalate free and latex free. This bottle won a 2009 Top Gear of the Year Award from Shape You. "[The] 100-percent Silicone Bottle collapses as air is released, giving baby a bubble-free feeding, reducing the likelihood of colic, reflux and spit-up," Nicole Strand, in sales administration at Prince Lionheart, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Kids can add safety and style to their bikes. The motion-activated Stix Sparx screw onto a bicycle tire’s valve stem, and the rainbow LEDs create a lighting effect around the bike’s wheels. Each sustainable package has "try me" packaging that allows customers to see the LED brightness and color before they buy. The package includes batteries and an extra set of replaceable batteries. Launch date: July 2009.

Kids can add safety and style to their bike while riding. The Blue or Rainbow LED Skull Sparx screw onto a bicycle tire’s valve stem. When riding, the LEDs create a rainbow lighting effect around the bike’s wheels. Each sustainable package has “try me” so customers can see the LED function, brightness and color before they buy. The package comes complete with batteries and an extra set of replaceable batteries. "[The] patented rainbow LED also offers safety and fun to riders at a low price point," Karlie, in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Each Body Dazzler is secured to a nylon lanyard with a safety break-away cord. Body Dazzlers come in a variety of shapes and colors and may be worn day or night as a necklace or used as a keychain. The product helps to increase safety by enhancing visibility in low-light conditions. Body Dazzlers can also be clipped to backpacks, bags or even attached as zipper pulls. Shapes include Alien, Skull, Whistle and Ballistics, and colors include Pink with red LED, Blue with blue LED, and Green with green LED. Launch date: July 2009.

The MobiCam AV is compact, portable and multi-functional. It is a color, handheld, 900 MHz, wireless monitoring system designed specifically for easy mobility — of both the camera and monitor — so that the MobiCam AV system can be moved to virtually any location within the home, office or other environment, instantly. It has a transmission range of up to 300', automatic see-in-the-dark night vision, and the ability to connect the monitor to a TV or other audio-video device. "The MobiCam AV has an optional Internet Kit. The MobiCam Anywhere Software broadcasts the full-motion images and sound from the camera in real time to a personalized, secure website that you create," Andrew Buckband, national sales manager for MOBI Technologies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

This ergonomically engineered, visor-like guard is designed to keep water, shampoo and conditioner residues out of the eyes and ears of little kids during bath time, in order to eliminate tears due to stinging, soapy eyes. It has a soft-grip handle and soft contours to fit gently against a child's head, plus a rim  that directs water away from the face. This distinctive bath tool comes in four colors: yellow, purple, sky blue, and green.