Alicante Car Rental Made Easy

The most popular and convenient way to get around in Alicante, Spain is to rent a car. Whether you?re traveling up the Costa Blanca to Benidorm, or staying in Alicante to sightsee, it?s great to have a car at your disposal. Renting is simple to do, and depending on your itinerary, it will generally be more cost-effective than any other mode of transportation. There are several key things to take note of before you go.

Alicante Car Rental

When you land at the airport in Alicante, you?ll find several different car rental companies to choose from, including worldwide names such as Avis and Hertz, and regional companies like Auriga and Centuaro. They?re easily accessible from the arrival area.

It?s best to book your car rental before your vacation to ensure you get the best price. Also, depending on when you?re traveling, it?s a good idea to pre-arrange a car in advance to be sure that you?ll have one when you arrive. Particularly in the summer, which is peak season in Alicante, you?ll find that rental inventory goes quickly.

You can use several different ways to reserve your car. You can book online, through a travel agent, or directly with the company you select. Many times you can find a great deal on a car rental as part of a vacation package. Be sure to shop several companies for the best rates. When shopping, include any additional charges, such as insurance, as well as any restrictions that will apply, to get a clear picture when comparing prices.

The car doesn?t always have to be picked up at the airport, though for some, that?s most convenient. Sometimes you?ll find that renting in town is more affordable than renting at the airport. Think about where you?ll be picking up and dropping off to ensure that you?ll have transportation to and from the rental location. If you?re renting from a location other than the airport, most companies offer complimentary transportation to the rental company.

Don?t Forget the Extras

Consider any extra features or charges when renting. Find out what?s included in the price. Some rental companies may include insurance in their cost, some may not.

One important issue to address is whether or not you?ll need to bring a child safety seat. You may have already brought it for the flight, and it?s a simple procedure to get it into the rental car. Or you may have planned to rent one once you arrived. Either way, if you have an infant or child in the car, Spanish law states that he or she must be secured in a safety seat. If a rental company provides it, there?s an additional charge.

Be sure to get a car with air conditioning. It might be an obvious feature, but one you may not realize you need until you?re in the sweltering heat of Alicante without it.

Careful planning and review of all of your options will ensure you have the best possible car rental experience.

Peter Wilson's detailed articles are found on lots of websites linked to Benidorm. You might find out more about his articles on Alicante car rental over at http://www.alicante-spain.com/alicantecarrental.html and different sources for Alicante car rental news.

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

By Irina

========================================================== The author grants permission to publish this article, in its entirety, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included. Other articles by Irina are available from http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/articles.html ==========================================================

Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare

Medical experts all agree that good health depends on improved access to and increased use of preventive services. With health insurance premiums being what they are and skyrocketing even further year after year, the first part (affordable access to quality healthcare) can serve as a worthy subject for a whole book. Notwithstanding the significance of the problem, it is beyond the scope of this article. More information on getting affordable access to quality healthcare is available from http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/affordable.html

If you already have access to preventive services, you are responsible, in large part, for managing your own care. Your primary-care practitioner is your partner, but numerous decisions of paramount importance are up to you. The following should help to decide if you need any of the tests listed below. You should, if possible, have a copy of your test results and records.

These are the major screening tests (that is, routine tests for people without symptoms) and adult immunizations. The advice is based largely on the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Most HMOs and Medicare cover these services; fewer traditional insurers pay for them. Infants, children, and pregnant women need other kinds of preventive care not described here.

- Blood pressure measurement (to detect hypertension) Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 2 years for those with normal blood pressure.
Comments: More frequent monitoring for those with readings of 130/85 or higher.

- Cholesterol measurement Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 5 years. More often if total or LDL (ad) cholesterol is high, HDL (good) is low, and/or you have risk factors. Comments: Those at high risk for heart disease need medical advice about life-style changes and possibly drug therapy.

- Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose test) Who needs: Everyone 45 and older; earlier for those at high risk.
How often: Every 3 years. Comments: Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, obese people, and those with a strong family history need more frequent screening, starting at age 30.

- Dental checkup
Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 6 months, or on professional advice. Comments: Should include cleaning and exam for oral cancer.

- Tetanus/diphtheria booster Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 10 years. Comments: People over 50 are least likely to be adequately immunized.

- Hepatitis B vaccine
Who needs: All young adults, as well as adults at high risk.
How often: On professional advice. Comments: All newborns should be vaccinated.

- Chickenpox vaccine
Who needs: Anyone who has never had chickenpox. How often: Once. But above age 13 it requires two shots. Comments: Not recommended for pregnant women or those with compromised immunity.

- Pap smear (for early detection of cervical cancer) Who needs: All women with a cervix, starting at age 18, or earlier if sexually active. How often: If 3 annual tests are normal, then once every 3 years. More often if you smoke, have multiple sex partners or other risk factors. Comments: Some experts advise that women who have never had an abnormal result can stop being screened after age 65.

- Breast cancer screening (mammography) Who needs: All women 50 and over; those 40-49 should discuss riskfactors with a doctor. How often: Annually. Medicare reimburses for it. Comments: Clinical breast exams are also important-consult your doctor.

- Colorectal cancer screening (fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy) Who needs: Everyone 50 and over; earlier for those at high risk.
How often: Occult blood test annually; sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years. Comments: Digital rectal exam and X-ray with barium enema may also be done. Medicare now pays for colonoscopy.

- Prostate cancer screening (prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test; and digital rectal exam, or DRE) Who needs: Blacks and men with family history, DRE and PSA starting at age 40. For others, DRE, and possibly PSA, starting at 50.
How often: DRE annually; PSA on professional advice. Comments: Usefulness of PSA screening for all men remains controversial.

- Thyroid disease screening Who needs: Women 50 and over; those with high cholesterol or family history of thyroid disease. How often: On professional advice. Comments: Routine screening remains controversial. Talk to your doctor about risk factors.

- Chlamydia screening
Who needs: Women 25 and younger, if sexually active. How often: Annually, or more often. Comments: Men and women of any age who are at risk for STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV) should be tested.

- Glaucoma screening
Who needs: People at high risk: those over 65, very nearsighted, or diabetic; blacks over 40; those with sleep apnea or family history of glaucoma. How often: On professional advice of eye specialist. Comments: Many eye specialists advise screening all adults every 3-5 years, starting at age 39.

- Influenza vaccine
Who needs: Everyone 50 and over, people with lung or heart disease or cancer, and others at high risk. How often: Annually, in autumn. Comments: Even healthy younger adults can benefit and should consider getting the shot.

- Pneumococcal vaccine Who needs: Everyone 65 and over, and others at high risk for complications.
How often: At least once. Comments: Effective against most strains of pneumococcal pneumonia; lasts at least 5-10 years.

- Rubella vaccine
Who needs: All women of childbearing age. How often: Once.
Comments: Avoid during pregnancy.

There are other important preventive measures not listed above-the kind of commonsense steps that could save millions of medical dollars and prevent injury, illness, disability, and premature death. Here's a checklist:

- Don't smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.

- Maintain a healthy weight.

- Get regular exercise. Brisk walking for just half an hour every day can be a big factor in weight control and in staying healthy.

- Choose a diet low in animal fat and sodium, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. Eat at least two servings of fish a week.

- Keep alcohol consumption moderate: no more than one drink daily for a woman, two drinks for a man. If you are a heavy drinker, seek counseling, and cut back or quit.

- Do self-exams of your breasts or testes, as well as skin.

- Fasten seat belts, see that kids ride in proper restraints, and obey the law. Drive sober and defensively.

- Brush and floss to prevent dental disease.

Someday there may be one magic test that will accurately detect anything and everything. Until then, this guide may be useful in making the right healthcare decision for yourself and your family.

(C) by Irina 2003.

========================================================== About the Author:
Irina helps people save money on healthcare and create steady stream of residual income working from home http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/ ==========================================================

Irina helps people save money on healthcare and create steady stream of residual income working from home http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/

Baby Stroller Reviews

One way of deciding if a particular stroller is right for you
and your baby is to test it out. Another way is to look at
reviews of the baby stroller to see how it stands with those
who have already used the same model you are looking
at. The reviews of four different stroller types will address
the pros and cons of each particular stroller.

The Graco Duo-glider - Metropolitan Standard Stroller is a
multiple stroller and definitely has more pros than cons
however, the decision is strictly yours to make. The seat of
this stroller lies flat, it has a great price and great
accessories, and it folds small for its size. The extras are
nice, there is a five-point harness, and it strolls nicely.
There is a huge storage basket under the seat, it is easy to
open and easy to get in the car.

The cons of the Graco Duo-Glider is that the basket cannot
be reached when the seat is lying flat. The seat sides
need more support. The cup holder on the front seat must
be removed to shut the trunk of the car.

The Per Prego Duette MT - Black Sable Twin Seat
Standard Stroller is durable, has full suspension, and
reclining seats. This is an easy to push stroller and it has a
smooth ride. The seats can face each other and they both
recline. It is narrow for shopping. It??s design is high quality
with lots of leg room and a five-point harness. There is a
roomy seat area.

The complaints about the Per Prego Duette MT are that it
is large and heavy. It is expensive. it is hard to fold. It takes
up a lot of room. There is no storage basket and this
stroller does not collapse all the way.

The Evenflo Cititour Silver Star Twin Seat Standard Stroller
has a comfortable rear seat. This stroller can handle up to
forty pounds in each seat. It has soft and padded material.
There is a toddler drink and snack tray. This stroller steers
rather easily and there is easy access to the basket.

Complaints about this stroller include the fact that the
parent tray falls down. The front wheels squeak and
wobble after about two weeks of usage The front canopy is
too small for a toddler. It is difficult to open and close. The
fabric has a tendency to catch in the joints of the frame.

Let??s take a look at the Graco Quattro Tour 7411 LV -
Travel System Stroller is said to be sturdy. It is easy to
clean and use. It has great features. This is a very safe
stroller. It is a complete traveling system which includes a
stay in the car base. The car safety seat detaches from the
base and is attached to the stroller frame. The car safety
seat also can be an infant carrier. It is an excellent snug-
ride infant seat with a useful base. It has a large storage
basket. It requires only one hand to fold it.

The complaints about this particular stroller are that the
company needs to produce more girl colors. This stroller is
very bulky and heavy. It is a pricey model. It is oversized
and again very heavy.

The only positive statement about the Combi Tetra TS
Crimson Standard Stroller is that it has cool colors. The
wheels don??t turn properly and the basket is inaccessible
when the seat is recline. There are three reclining
positions only two of which work. It unfolds but doesn??t lock
which poses a serious risk to you and your baby and the
frame is made of cheap plastic.

About the Author

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of baby cribs, His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.1st-babies.com

Uses Of Auto Seat Covers

It is an irony that auto seat covers are the most neglected thing in a car, while so much importance is given to its looks. Auto seat covers are as important for your car as any other part of your car. These covers will keep your seats free from dirt and other harmful elements. They will also maintain their shape.

There are several companies which offer designed seat covers. There are some companies which make baby seat covers made of cotton and silk, so as not to harm the baby's skin. The most important feature of an infant seat cover is the security it provides to the baby while the car is moving. Also, it provides security to parents against the mess created by children. You just need to detach the seat cover, toss it in the washing machine and refit it again to give the seat its usual look.

Auto Seat Cover Materials

Soft Touch: Poly-cotton is the most widely used material for auto seat covers. It is very soft to touch, and also renders protection against harmful elements simultaneously.

Sheepskin: The usage of sheepskin is common next to poly-cotton for seat covers. It is considered to be thermostatic in nature, as it is warm during cold conditions and cool during warm conditions.

UV Protected Sheets: Another good choice of seat covers that you can consider having are Velour seat covers. They are also very soft to touch like poly-cotton. However they are different, as they possess an additional ultraviolet coating. So they will protect the color of your car seats from fading.

Types of Auto Seat Covers

Universal Auto Seat Covers: These kinds of seat covers are a universal fit. This means that they can be fitted to almost every kind of car seat, whether they are low-back or high-back bucket seats. It is very convenient to fit and remove them. But they cannot be used for car seats with side-impact airbags.

Custom Auto Seat Covers: These auto seat covers are tailor made. They can be made as per the measured size of specified car seats. While making custom covers, every minor detail of the car seat is taken notice of and pondered over. This fitting is considered perfect, as it is specifically made to fulfill the particular requirements of the car.

Hybrid Semi-Custom Auto Seat Covers: These kinds of seat covers are best if you cannot afford custom covers. They may not provide you with all the features which are rendered by the latter, but they are able to protect your car seat against any harmful elements.

Maintained car seats give a beautiful look to the interior of your car. So it is always recommended to use auto seat covers to provide your car seats with protection against any harmful elements. This will increase the durability of the interior of your car.

About the Author:

Stefan Rockhaus writes about automotive accessories at Mega Info Spot - Visit Auto Seat Covers to read more about car seat covers

Why a Baby Car Seat is the Most Essential Baby Product to Purchase For Your Child

My baby car seat is starting to look its age, as its done 3 kids so far. To get a seat for your baby that will last this long, the selection of the right type of baby car seat is absolutely vital. Which one is right for you then? In most cases the best baby car seat is the one that matches your baby's size and weight; exception is if your cars seats are shaped in a way that makes it impossible to install a specific baby seat you have your eye on.

A baby car seat is of course especially designed for babies. If your baby is an infant, then you should have a seat up to max. 20 lbs. A baby car seat is one of the best things you can buy for you new baby. A proper seat is essential for protecting your baby in the car.

The first thing to consider when buying a baby car seat is safety; without a quality seat you can?t be sure that your baby is protected from harm. A portable baby car seat is great to support your young baby properly when you are outside the car, and that makes it even clearer that, a baby car seat is one of the essential baby products to purchase for your child.

In most cars a baby car seat is easily installed and removed with all the attach points well placed for easy access. For people traveling on the road, for any length of journey ? it is a must to have your baby put in a safe seat. As mentioned before, go by your baby's weight for the most suitable size. It is important that the baby car seat is the right size! Don?t save money when it comes to safety!

A baby seat should have an extra padded insert that could also be used as head support when your baby is asleep. Using a baby car seat is one of the most important things to ensure your baby's protection. Buying a baby seat is perhaps the single most important decision parents make when it comes to ensuring their new baby's safety.

An investment in a high quality baby car seat is one of the best buys you can make when getting ready to bring home your baby from the hospital. A baby car seat is a must for all new families. A proper seat for you baby is not only recommended, it's actually very important.

Finn Jensen has a lot of experience in buying the right baby car seat ? he has kids himself. And as a help to others he has put up an automotive body parts service containing high-quality articles on related stuff to car owners. So go visit http://www.carparts-e.com/ now.

Am I Really A StrollerMonger?

Am I Really A Stroller-Monger?

 by: David Leonhardt

I was reading A Modern Infant Armada, a humor column in Maclean's Magazine written by a fellow humor columnist. Writing about it now is a bit like a painter painting another painter or a singer singing about another singer (but it not like a cook cooking another cook.).

David Russell (yes, another humor columnist named David) laughs at his neighbor for parking both cars in the driveway to make room in the garage for four strollers for just one child. I laughed with him. Four strollers for just one baby is ridiculous, right?

However, David Russell becomes a parent himself, a condition that afflicts many unsuspecting homo sapiens, and he concludes that a call to his neighbor is warranted: I need to see if he can help me get a fleet rate.

Traitor! I cried out. Stroller monger!

Who's a traitor? my wife asked as she walked in the room. And just what is a stroller monger.

I resisted the obvious answer that a stroller monger is somebody who mongs strollers. David Russell. He says that one stroller is enough for any child, but then he decides to buy an entire fleet.

Say, we could have saved a bundle if we had applied for a fleet rate, my wife mused.

What? We don't have four strollers.

My wife smiled. It was a sweet smile you could just fall in love with...if you did not know that it meant, Oh yes we do!

We do not.

My wife took out her counting fingers. First there is the car seat, she said, pressing down the first finger. We snap it into the stroller base whenever we go anywhere.

OK, that's one.

Then there is the SUV, she said, pressing down on a second finger. The SUV is a full sized stroller. We bought it when we were still squeezing it on a downtown apartment. With no storage space, it stood in the entrance area, blocking our path to the kitchen and any hope of escaping if the place caught fire. The SUV is the Hummer of strollers.

OK, that is a stroller, I will grant you. But that's just two.

We also have the fold-up stroller, my wife said, pressing down a third finger.

But she's not even using it yet.

She will soon and we have it now, my wife pointed out. Then there is the old fold-up stroller we kept as a backup. That makes four.

You can't count duplicates. That's double counting.

It takes double the space, my wife insisted. We have four strollers.

I stared in silence. Slowly it sunk in. Yes, there were two Davids who were humor columnists, but there were also two Davids who were stroller-mongers.

Uh-oh. My wife was smiling again. She was watched for just the right moment to strike. Our baby has more seats in this house than anybody else has.

That's ridiculous. No sooner had the words left my mouth than I remembered the boomerang rule. Words like ridiculous, ludicrous, silly, stupid and big mouth usually apply only to the person who speaks them.

My wife rhymed off our seats, Three on the couch, two chairs in the living room, six in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one at each of our desks. Plus the three red chairs Little Lady has in the living room. That makes 17.

Ha! I knew it couldn't be true.

Then came that deadly sweet smile again, the smile that said, Take my hand while I lead you around the house to see why you should think first and shout 'Aha!' later.

In the kitchen stood the high chair and the sit-in play saucer. In her office sat the rocking chair that never rocked and the bouncy chair that never bounced. There was the swing seat, and there were two cushion seats for sitting upright on the floor. She opened the door to the enclosed porch, and there were the four strollers and the car seat she would soon be using.

That makes 12, my wife tallied. We each have fewer than six.

I thought really hard. Aha! I said again, proudly pointing out that this time I had thought first and shouted 'Aha!' later.. We have three chairs on the balcony, and six on the patio. There are also six folding chairs for the fire pit.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and there was no reason to forget all the outdoors furniture at a time like this. Unfortunately, there was no reason to forget arithmetic, either. Our baby still had the most seats in the house and outside the house, too.

Uh, do toilet seats count?

My wife smiled her sweet smile again, a smile that could only mean, So, stroller monger, what do you have to say for yourself now?

I knew that another humor columnist named David had just been labeled a traitor. Meekly, I mumbled. Lawn tractor seat?

About The Author

How many strollers does one child need? This scientific study has determined that stroller-mongers need four.

Info@thehappyguy.com

Following Simple Children Vehicle Safety Tips Can Reduce Auto Accidents And Injuries

Child Car Seat Safety:

Child Car Seat Safety:

We know you love your children, but so many people do not follow these simple car seat safety principles. By following these easy steps you can ensure your child is completely safe in your car. Just to get one thing straight, there is no one best child car safety seat. The best car safety seat is determined by various factors that you as the parent need to take into consideration. The seat needs to fit your childs height and weight, as well as be able to fit properly in your car.

Another common misconception is price. More expensive, does not always mean better quality or the seat is better safety wise.

The first step of proper car seat safety is of course determined by the age of your child. Any child that is under the age of twelve should be kept in the back seat of a vehicle. This is especially true if your car has passenger side air bags.

Infants should be in a rear facing car seat until they are at least one year old and twenty pounds. After they are twenty pounds they can be placed in a front facing car safety seat until they are around forty pounds or they have reached the maximum height recommended for the specific car safety seat in question.

Once a child reaches forty pounds, they should be placed on a belt positioning booster seat. The vehicles normal seat belt should not be used until they are around eighty pounds or 4ft 9 inches tall.

As always read your cars owners manual as well and any manuals with the car safety seat.

Additional Car Safety Tips:

Most accidents that occur over a parent/child incident occur when a parent is trying to turn around and discipline their child. Think about it, you are taking you eyes as well as you mind off of the primary task at hand (driving) and exclusively focusing on your child who should be, and usually is behind you in the back seat of the vehicle.

To prevent this the best thing to do if you must discipline your child is to find a place to pull over and do so then, when you are not moving.

About the Author: Child Safety is our primary concern, check out these FREE child safety related resources at http://www.ChildSafetyInfo.com

Tips To Baby Care Things You Should Know

Wonderful moment has arrived ? you had a baby! Now what? Caring for your baby is a skill, lucky us it can be easily acquired and learned. Baby care and nurturing is going to fill your days for the first few month to the maximum, and here are some tips to help you reduce stress and make parenting more enjoyable!

• Talking to, touching, and holding your new baby in the delivery room is good for you and your baby.

• This is a wonderful time to start breastfeeding. Tell your care giver not to let anyone else feed your baby so that your baby will only get your breast milk.

• Your health care giver will examine your baby right after birth, checking appearance and color, reflexes, breathing, heart rate, and activity to see whether your baby needs any special care.

• Ask to have your newborn placed beside you in bed. Touch and hold your baby, and get to know how your baby feels.

• Your baby may look different from the way you expected. Ask the hospital staff if you have questions about the way your baby looks.

• Ask the staff to show you how to take your baby?s temperature and read the thermometer.

• All infants should be protected against hepatitis B. Some doctors recommend the first shot be given before going home from the hospital.

• You should take your baby to see the doctor when your baby is about 1 week old unless you are told to come in sooner. Call your baby?s doctor right after your baby is born for an appointment.

Before you and your baby leave the hospital, a few drops of blood will be taken from your baby?s heel to check for some rare problems.

You will need a car safety seat (marked ?federally approved?) to bring your baby home. It is the law?your baby must always be in an approved safety seat when traveling in a car, van, or truck. Ask your health care giver, the hospital where you deliver, or health department about programs that loan federally approved car safety seats.

If you or the baby?s father have any questions about how to pick up, hold, feed, bathe, diaper, or dress your baby, ask the hospital staff to help you. Your new baby needs all of the love and comfort you can give. You cannot love a baby too much. Your entire family can share in the joy of this love.

Caring for your baby at home ?

Most newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping and eating. You want to make sure that baby has a safe place to sleep and is put to sleep in a safe position.

A safe crib will have slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and corner posts less than 5/8 inch high above the rails.

Baby should sleep on a firm mattress that fits tightly in the crib, cradle or bassinet.

Do not put pillows, comforters or other soft padded materials in the bed under the baby.

Put healthy infants to sleep on their backs or sides.

Keep the sides of crib raised when baby is sleeping in it.

Try to keep sleeping newborns away from pets, other children and large overstuffed toys.

Don?t let people smoke around your baby. Your baby?s lungs are delicate. Babies are not as resistant to respiratory infections as their parents.

Hopefully these simple tips will help you enjoy your new responsibilities to its fullest and fill your days with joy, not stress.

Olga is a co-publisher of baby care guide designed to Unlock your Inner Mother Code. Parenting manual that mother nature should have included with your new baby http://www.Baby-Formula-Advisor.com

Double Strollers: What Do You Really Need?

A double stroller is a necessity if you have twins or two young children of similar ages. By quickly answering eight important questions that help you determine the needs of your particular lifestyle, you will save yourself time and effort in your search for the best double stroller for your family.

Is baby number two on the way or are you expecting twins? Then you definitely need a double stroller. Before you begin your search among the countless models that are available, you need to determine what your stroller needs are for your particular lifestyle. For example, it doesn't make sense to purchase the same double stroller your best friend raves about if you're an avid jogger and her favorite hobby is shopping. To help you narrow down the possibilities, answer the eight following questions.

1. What activities do you need a double stroller for?

 Do you do most of your shopping in malls? Do you like to jog or take long walks around the neighborhood in all types of weather? Are you a freqyuent traveler? The activities you do most often will decide what type of double stroller you should choose, whether it be a regular double mall stroller, a lightweight (ex. umbrella) double stroller, a double jogging stroller or a double all-terrain stroller.

2. Which seating design would best suit your needs?

Double strollers come in two seating designs: tandem (one seat in front of the other) or side-by-side. Both designs have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important for you to think carefully about what your lifestyle will be like with twins or two children of different ages (although this is not easy to do before actually living through it!).

3. What are the ages and temperaments of your children?

Your double stroller needs will be slightly different if you're the parents of twins than if you have a baby and an older child. Some double strollers are true twin strollers, meaning they have features that are meant to accommodate two children of the same age, such as the ability to clip in two infant car seats. There are also double strollers that are designed so that a toddler can sit in the front seat where he can have a better view and more legroom while baby brother or sister sleeps comfortably in the fully reclining rear seat.

Many parents find that side-by-side double strollers help keep the peace between children because they prevent arguments about who gets to sit in the front seat. On the other hand, being side-by-side can also create other problems with the two children sitting in such close proximity.

4. How often are you going to use the double stroller?

If you're only planning on using a stroller for quick errands to the mall a couple times a week, you don't need to purchase a heavy-duty, high-end double stroller with all the bells and whistles. However, if you like going for walks or runs on a daily basis, or if you go out with your children often and for long periods of time, you should consider getting something that is comfortable and durable, since double strollers take twice the abuse of single strollers.

5. Who will be using the stroller?

Keep in mind the height and stride of the person or persons who will be using the double stroller the most, as well as their physical strength. It's no fun pushing a stroller with a handle that is too low or too high for comfort and neither is folding and picking up one that is cumbersome. It's true that double strollers are heavier and bulkier than single strollers due to their very nature, but there are models on the market that are easier to handle than others.

6. What features are you looking for?

Do you want a simple, no frills double stroller, or something with lots of comfort, durability and storage space? This brings us back to the types of activities you do most often. It's very disappointing to purchase a stroller and then realize that its features don't meet your needs as well as they could have.

7. How much space do you have for transporting and storing it?

With a few exceptions, double strollers take up a lot of room. The size of your vehicle may be a big deciding factor when choosing a double model. Make sure it fits! Also, take into account where you will store the stroller at home.

8. What can you afford?

This is probably the most important question of all. Think carefully of your present and future stroller needs with your two children. What is the minimum you are willing to live with? Can you afford to pay for a higher quality double stroller that will make your life easier in the long run, or are you willing to take your chances with a budget stroller that may break down before you're done using it? For twins, a double universal car seat carrier (stroller frame) is an inexpensive alternative to buying an actual stroller during the infant stage if you're yet not sure what you'll need later on.

Once you've determined what you really need, then you can begin researching the various brands and models that are on the market. You will be able to quickly eliminate double strollers that don't fit your criteria, making the whole process a lot easier and less time-consuming.

Copyright 2006 by Anik Gigu?re-Biollo. Permission is granted to reproduce this article in electronic newsletters
or on websites provided that it is not edited in any way, all the links are left active, and that neither the copyright declaration nor this license are removed. This article was originally published at http://www.stroller-advisor.com/double-stroller-needs.html .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Anik Gigu?re-Biollo is the mother of a three year-old girl and one year-old twin boys and has owned a total of eight baby strollers of different types. She offers a great deal of detailed information about choosing and purchasing double strollers and twin strollers (see http://www.stroller-advisor.com/double-strollers.html), as well as all other types of strollers, on her website. You can visit her site by going to http://www.Stroller-Advisor.com.

Stroll On: Presenting Five State of the Art Strollers

Celebrities Moms and Dads love them and now--so can you!? Get the scoop on five state-of-the-art strollers from top brands Stokke, Quinny, Bugaboo and Mutsy! With loads of cool features and super-sleek styling, you and your baby are sure to be riding in style with these modern strollers!

Ready to take your modern lifestyle to the streets? You have the modern nursery furniture, now it's time for a modern stroller! These mini status-symbols are becoming smaller, sleeker and dare I say it-more stylish! Below you find the best of the best in stroller design:

• Xplory Stroller by Stokke: With celebrity power-moms like Angelina Jolie and Courtney Cox-Arquette pushing it around town, the Xplory series from Stokke is tops. Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award in 2004 the Xplory has a lot to offer. Touted as the only stroller that elevates baby higher up and closer to Mommy, Xplory features two-way sitting and includes an array of coordinating accessories. Available in six colors, you can even coordinate it with your favorite piece of modern nursery furniture!
  
• Quinny Buzz Three-Wheel Stroller: A real eye-catcher, the Quinny Buzz Stroller is versatile and sporty. This all-terrain stroller is perfect for active mothers-featuring revolutionary gas spring technology, it unfolds automatically! State of the art safety features include a parking brake, five-point padded safety harness and a removable safety bar. Optional ad-ons include the Mico Infant Car Seat from Maxi-Cosi for a complete travel system. Celebrity fans include Mariska Hargitay, Heidi Klum and Gwen Stefani.
  
• Bugaboo Frog Stroller: The innovative Bugaboo Frog is both functional and easy to use! This sporty stroller allows parents more room to move. The Frog has a unique flowing suspension ensuring that a child can safely lie down or sit up, however uneven the surface. Lightweight, compact and tough, the Frog is perfect for a day at the beach and an evening in the city. Celebrity fans include: Edie Falco, R&B singer Faith Evans & Heidi Klum.
  
• Urban Rider Next Stroller by Mutsy: Tiger Woods' wife Elin is a fan of the Urban Rider Next Stroller by Mutsy! With its stylized hard-cased body and luxurious leather handle, this stroller is super stylish! An easily interchangeable second set of smaller front wheels converts the stroller to a front wheel swivel stroller for maximum mobility.
  
• Bugaboo Bee Stroller: The Bugaboo Bee doesn't look as fancy as some of its futuristic counterparts, but looks can be deceiving. The Bugaboo Bee packs quite a powerful punch! The Bee's compact, one-piece foldable design accommodates your child from infant to toddler and with a whole slew of safety features and optional accessories you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck. Celebrity fans include Milla Jovovich, Gwen Stefani and Foo Fighters' front man Dave Grohl.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jamie Sward has a BA in Journalism from Indiana University. As an expert in Modern Decor and Nursery Furniture, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise with customers on All Modern Baby, a website dedicated to modern nursery furniture, decor and other top-of-the-line products designed to be both functional and stylish.

Keeping Baby Safe: your most important role as a parent

Saying Thanks, But No Thanks to Used Safety Equipment

Once your beautiful bundle of joy arrives, the work of raising your child really begins. The biggest job you have as a parent is keeping your baby safe. Yet, it is impossible to watch over your children twenty-four hours a day.

Thankfully, there are many safety products available to keep them from getting hurt. These products include safety gates, outlet covers, oven and table bumpers, doorknob covers, bed rails, locks and guards, and many more. As a parent, you need to use products that are one step ahead of their children's abilities, and can do so by getting down on their level and looking around. This gives you a child's eye perspective of child safety issues in your home.

But with so many products to buy and so many different brand names, how do you decide what products you need most? The best thing to do when it comes to safety is buy new products rather than used ones. An older, used product may have been recalled due to dangerous safety issues, or it may be damaged from previous use. Although hand-me-downs are great for clothes and toys, your childs safety is just too important to leave to chance. Babies R Us is a great place to find all the safety products you need.

That still leaves the issue of how to choose between one safety gate, for instance, and another. Here are some purchasing tips for some of the more popular safety items you will need for your baby.

Car Seats

More children are seriously injured and killed in auto accidents than in any other type of accident. Each year, hundreds of lives could be saved if children were protected in cars by using child safety seats. Using a child safety seat is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car.

When purchasing a car seat, look for:

Label states that it meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
Is the car seat appropriate for your child's height and weight?
Be aware of the type of seat belts your car has; all car seats are not compatible with all seat belts;
Check recent car seat recalls before making a purchase;
Be sure that the seat you choose fits your child - a smaller baby can slip out of a seat that's too large. Infants one year or younger and up to 20 pounds must be placed in a rear-facing seat, toddlers (older than 1 year and between 20 and 40 pounds) may use a forward-facing seat, and children who are between 40 and 80 pounds need to be placed in a booster seat;
Consider choosing a seat that is upholstered in fabric - it may be more comfortable for your child.

Safety Gates

Baby safety gates are an essential element in making your home baby proof. Now that he's on the move, every nook and cranny is a potential area of exploration for him. Your baby is curious about his new environment, wanting to investigate each little corner and new room. The best way to make sure he can't do any harm to himself is to install safety gates. These will prevent him from reaching the stairs, kitchen, or an office room, where there might be many wires and electrical equipment just at his height

Accordion gates, which open to form diamond-shaped patterns with wide V's at the top, can trap a baby's head and have resulted in strangulation deaths. In January 1985, gate manufacturers halted production of these gates, but there are still an estimated 15 million gates in use. Mesh gates also can be dangerous because a toddler's fingers can become trapped.

When purchasing a safety gate, look for the following:

A hardware-mounted gate that attaches to the doorframe without any openings to trap fingers or necks. Pressure-mounted gates should not be used between rooms of different levels or at the top of stairs; children can dislodge them and take a tumble.
Gates that swing out should never be used at the top of stairways.
Nonflexible vertical slats or rods should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
Check for sharp edges and protrusions that could hurt a toddler's hands.
Avoid gates with structures that could give a child a foothold for climbing. Keep large toys away from the gate to prevent a child from using them to climb over.
The gate should be no less than 3/4 of the child's height

Playpens

These high-sided, enclosed play areas are popular because they allow parents to put their baby down with the knowledge that he can't wander off. It is great when you have to answer the phone, do a bit of ironing, or just catch a quick breath!

When purchasing a playpen, look for the following:

Holes in the mesh should be no larger than 1/4 inch to keep small fingers from getting caught;
The sides should be at least 20 inches high, measured from the floor of the playpen;
Look for padding on the tops of the rails to protect your baby from bumps.
The locks that allow you to lower a side should be out of your baby's reach.

Baby Monitors

The idea behind a baby monitor is that you can have the ability to move around the house or your yard and still be able to keep tabs on your baby by listening or now viewing your baby. This can help alert you to a crying baby, a baby who needs your help or just help you watch baby while he or she sleeps.

The baby/nursery monitor that you buy will have different levels of mobility. The base usually plugs into the wall, usually the nursery or wherever your baby is sleeping. The receiver can plug in or be mobile. If you intend to use the monitor as you move from room to room, you will want to invest in the mobile kind, versus the stationary variety.

When purchasing a baby monitor, look for the following:

There should be at least two channels to choose from;
Be sure that you have a low battery indicator light. Without this you might be listening to the receiver, thinking all is quiet in the baby's room, when in fact all you've got is a dead battery;
Has a power-on light so that you can know the unit is on without disturbing the baby;
Has a volume control to put you in charge of how loudly you wish to hear your baby;
Are you planning to carry around your end of the monitoring system? Then you might want a belt clip!

Bath Seats

A bath seat gives your child added support while in the bathtub and can help prevent a soapy baby from slipping out of your hands and hitting her head on the tub. Keep in mind, however, that you should NEVER leave your child unattended in the tub!

When purchasing a bath seat, look for the following:

Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces unless the manufacturers instructions specifically state the seat is intended for such surfaces;
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.

Always remember, no matter what safety product you are buying, to look at the features to be sure they meet your specific requirements. Also check to be sure that the product you are considering has not recently been recalled. The safety of your child is of utmost importance dont leave it to chance!

Once your beautiful bundle of joy arrives, the work of raising your child really begins. The biggest job you have as a parent is keeping your baby safe. Yet, it is impossible to watch over your children twenty-four hours a day.

Thankfully, there are many safety products available to keep them from getting hurt. These products include safety gates, outlet covers, oven and table bumpers, doorknob covers, bed rails, locks and guards, and many more. As a parent, you need to use products that are one step ahead of their children's abilities, and can do so by getting down on their level and looking around. This gives you a child's eye perspective of child safety issues in your home.

But with so many products to buy and so many different brand names, how do you decide what products you need most? The best thing to do when it comes to safety is buy new products rather than used ones. An older, used product may have been recalled due to dangerous safety issues, or it may be damaged from previous use. Although hand-me-downs are great for clothes and toys, your childs safety is just too important to leave to chance. Babies R Us is a great place to find all the safety products you need.

That still leaves the issue of how to choose between one safety gate, for instance, and another. Here are some purchasing tips for some of the more popular safety items you will need for your baby.

Car Seats

More children are seriously injured and killed in auto accidents than in any other type of accident. Each year, hundreds of lives could be saved if children were protected in cars by using child safety seats. Using a child safety seat is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car.

When purchasing a car seat, look for:

Label states that it meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
Is the car seat appropriate for your child's height and weight?
Be aware of the type of seat belts your car has; all car seats are not compatible with all seat belts;
Check recent car seat recalls before making a purchase;
Be sure that the seat you choose fits your child - a smaller baby can slip out of a seat that's too large. Infants one year or younger and up to 20 pounds must be placed in a rear-facing seat, toddlers (older than 1 year and between 20 and 40 pounds) may use a forward-facing seat, and children who are between 40 and 80 pounds need to be placed in a booster seat;
Consider choosing a seat that is upholstered in fabric - it may be more comfortable for your child.

Safety Gates

Baby safety gates are an essential element in making your home baby proof. Now that he's on the move, every nook and cranny is a potential area of exploration for him. Your baby is curious about his new environment, wanting to investigate each little corner and new room. The best way to make sure he can't do any harm to himself is to install safety gates. These will prevent him from reaching the stairs, kitchen, or an office room, where there might be many wires and electrical equipment just at his height

Accordion gates, which open to form diamond-shaped patterns with wide V's at the top, can trap a baby's head and have resulted in strangulation deaths. In January 1985, gate manufacturers halted production of these gates, but there are still an estimated 15 million gates in use. Mesh gates also can be dangerous because a toddler's fingers can become trapped.

When purchasing a safety gate, look for the following:

A hardware-mounted gate that attaches to the doorframe without any openings to trap fingers or necks. Pressure-mounted gates should not be used between rooms of different levels or at the top of stairs; children can dislodge them and take a tumble.
Gates that swing out should never be used at the top of stairways.
Nonflexible vertical slats or rods should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
Check for sharp edges and protrusions that could hurt a toddler's hands.
Avoid gates with structures that could give a child a foothold for climbing. Keep large toys away from the gate to prevent a child from using them to climb over.
The gate should be no less than 3/4 of the child's height

Playpens

These high-sided, enclosed play areas are popular because they allow parents to put their baby down with the knowledge that he can't wander off. It is great when you have to answer the phone, do a bit of ironing, or just catch a quick breath!

When purchasing a playpen, look for the following:

Holes in the mesh should be no larger than 1/4 inch to keep small fingers from getting caught;
The sides should be at least 20 inches high, measured from the floor of the playpen;
Look for padding on the tops of the rails to protect your baby from bumps.
The locks that allow you to lower a side should be out of your baby's reach.

Baby Monitors

The idea behind a baby monitor is that you can have the ability to move around the house or your yard and still be able to keep tabs on your baby by listening or now viewing your baby. This can help alert you to a crying baby, a baby who needs your help or just help you watch baby while he or she sleeps.

The baby/nursery monitor that you buy will have different levels of mobility. The base usually plugs into the wall, usually the nursery or wherever your baby is sleeping. The receiver can plug in or be mobile. If you intend to use the monitor as you move from room to room, you will want to invest in the mobile kind, versus the stationary variety.

When purchasing a baby monitor, look for the following:

There should be at least two channels to choose from;
Be sure that you have a low battery indicator light. Without this you might be listening to the receiver, thinking all is quiet in the baby's room, when in fact all you've got is a dead battery;
Has a power-on light so that you can know the unit is on without disturbing the baby;
Has a volume control to put you in charge of how loudly you wish to hear your baby;
Are you planning to carry around your end of the monitoring system? Then you might want a belt clip!

Bath Seats

A bath seat gives your child added support while in the bathtub and can help prevent a soapy baby from slipping out of your hands and hitting her head on the tub. Keep in mind, however, that you should NEVER leave your child unattended in the tub!

When purchasing a bath seat, look for the following:

Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces unless the manufacturers instructions specifically state the seat is intended for such surfaces;
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.

Always remember, no matter what safety product you are buying, to look at the features to be sure they meet your specific requirements. Also check to be sure that the product you are considering has not recently been recalled. The safety of your child is of utmost importance dont leave it to chance!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of baby-gifts-unique where you will find further information on the products available from babies r us and unique gift ideas Personalized Baby Gifts

All About Infant Car Seat Covers

If you have a baby car seat for a baby, you could need a baby infant seat cover. These covers cover the inside of your baby's infant car seat.

Don't skimp when it comes baby car seat safety as it could cost you a lot of aggravation not to mention your babies well being.

The information on seat covers is constantly changing and this information is the latest we have been able to research and bring to you. But do your own research on the Internet as car seats and seat covers are constantly changing and improving.

If you have a baby car seat for a infant, you may need a cover. These covers that cover the inside of your baby's seat are wonderful. You can protect the seat, and cushion the baby as well which supports the infants head adequately with these seat covers.

You could find covers that are for a boy or a girl and in hues that might match the seat as well. You will also find the car seat covers in neutral colors where you haven't determined the sex yet.

For new infant seat covers are practically a requirement. This is because the seat cover assist in securing your new baby's head in place, and help keep it's head from flopping, or even striking the side of the seat.

Seat covers are great for safe guarding the lining of the infant seat too. They help protect from spilled liquids, and leaky diapers, and other spills that are bound to happen when you have a infant.

You will find that infant car seat covers can make a excellent infant shower gift. If you are going to a baby shower, this is a must have item for any new mother-to-be. All baby car seats should have covers to protect the baby's head and the seat and if you don't know what sex the mother-to-be is having, you can get a few in various shades of pink or blue so that the mother can return them. If you're unsure of whether the mother to be is having a boy or a girl, a neutral color would work also.

The bottom line is, you can purchase an infant seat cover as a gift or as a necessity. All new mother-to-be's should have 1 or 2, so that when mother is wiping up one, you will have an extra one for use in case of an accident.
About the Author

Get more information on baby car seats, baby car seat covers, convertible or booster seats with articles, tips and resources at:
Baby Car Seats

Combi Products

Many parents take thier time & shop around before purchasing baby items. Hopefully this article can help you in your decision making when shopping for Combi products.

Booster seats are available in the backless option and the high back pattern. The Combi infant car seat provides all the comfort, convenience and security for the child. It is also protected with an adjustable canopy. They also provide infant seat bases and other car accessories such as mirrors or car, which will enhance the functionality as well as the cleanliness of the car. Travel system frames can be combined with a car seat to form a perfect travel system.

Umbrella strollers are the most common type of stroller and can be purshased as a double stroller. Umbrella strollers have a canopy to protect it from changes in the weather. Combi strollers are available in different sizes such as lightweight and midsize. They also include the specialized single jogging strollers equipped to manage the shock out of the travel. They also provide accessories such as stroller rain protectors and wind covers.

Slings and wraps are a very popular way to carry your baby and can accommodate the baby in any type of seating arrangement. Other important products include baby utensils, pacifiers and teethers. Other products include high chairs, play yards and a variety of diaper bags and slings.

About the Author

LynnMarie is On-Line Editor for Babyage.com which is one of the top online retailers of Combi Products including an extensive line of Combi Umbrella Strollers for children of all ages.

Uses of Car Seat Covers Info

It is still unbelievable that most car drivers do not pay much attention to their auto seat covers, when actually so much importance is given to its looks when another person gets inside a vehicle. Auto seat covers are as important for your car as any other part of your car. These covers will keep your seats free from dirt, dust, ash and other damaging elements. They will also help them keep their original shape.

There are numerous companies in the U.S that offer design car seat covers. There are some companies which make baby seat covers made of cotton and silk, so as not to harm the skin of the baby. The most important characteristic, though, to keep in mind before buying an infant seat cover is the security it can provide to the baby while the vehicle is running. Moreover, it provides security to parents against child of the mess. Just by detaching the seat cover, put it in the washing machine and refit it again, and it will look as when you bought it.

Types of auto seat covers in the American market:

- Unique car seat covers: These kinds of seat covers are customized fit. This means that they can be fit exactly to your car, whether they are low-back or high-back bucket seats. It is very convenient to fit and remove them. But they cannot be used for car seats with side-impact airbags.

- Leopard car seat covers: these kinds of seat covers are best if you can afford custom covers. They will provide you of great and stylish comfort -it is perfect for single men- and now they are many products available that protect your car seat against any harmful things.

- Leather car seat covers give a gorgeous look to the interior of your car. They come in different presentations, colors and leather qualities, tested to resists any harmful elements. This will increase the durability of the interior of your car.

Feel free to visit our website at: http://www.car-seat-covers.info-a1.com You will find more car seat covers articles from experts.

Custom Car Seat Covers

This article provides detailed information on Custom Car Seat Covers.

Some manufacturers provide custom tailoring of car seat covers for particular vehicles. Customized car seat covers provide a snug fit with no sagging ends and therefore make the car seat look more visually appealing.

Custom car seat covers are a viable solution for hard-to-fit seats like 40/20/40 seats, 70/30 seats, 60/40 seats, as well as difficult-to-fit seats in jeeps, trucks, tractors and SUVs. The company first sends some representatives to take accurate measurements of the car seats and then builds up an estimate. This service is most often free of charge.

A wide variety of materials may be used for making custom car seat covers. The person ordering the car seat covers gets to choose from among cotton, vinyl, neoprene, sheepskin, denim, velour cloth, tweed cloth and several other materials. Specific colors and patterns can also be chosen. Materials can be chosen according to the climatic factors and the amount of wear and tear the car seats may be subjected to. The client may have to pay for the material in advance. At other times, the company quotes a lump sum charge, with the cost of the material included.

While customizing a car seat cover, the customer can seek any combination. The cover can be tailored as aesthetically as designed, creating a sense of fashion consciousness within the car. Different kinds of fasteners like Velcro, zippers, buttons or strings can be decided upon to enhance the look and durability of the cover.

Custom car seat covers are obviously more expensive than standard car seat covers available in the stores. While standard car seat covers may be available at $30 to $70 per cover, customized car seat covers are sold at anywhere upwards of $60 per cover. Car seat cover providers also provide other accessories such as car covers and floor mats. Floor mats are provided complementary by some companies with a custom order of car seat covers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Infant Car Seat Covers provides detailed information on Car Seat Covers, Infant Car Seat Covers, Custom Car Seat Covers, Dog Car Seat Covers and more. Infant Car Seat Covers is affiliated with Dog Car Seats.

Baby: Baby R Us One Stop Baby Shop

If Toys ?R Us is a company that offers various toys for kids, what does
Baby R Us offer? No way! It?s not babies! Baby R Us offers baby
products.

If Toys ?R Us is a company that offers various toys for kids, what does Baby R Us offer? No way! It?s not babies! Baby R Us offers baby products. In 1996, Westbury, New York, Baby R Us opened its first store. It has been immediately followed with opening six more branches on different locations at the end of the year. After tremendous expansion and joining the Baby Superstore chain, Baby R Us store count has reach 218 at the beginning of 2005. What a mammoth feat for a baby store, right?Babies R Us is considered a pioneer in retailing premier baby products. It is said to be the biggest store chain in the world that provides baby products. They have stores and online stores that assist in giving a unique and fun shopping experience for their consumers. It has a state-of-the-art baby registry service that provides more convenience when shopping for your baby?s needs. Baby R Us also has a Mother?s room that attends to babies? necessities. It has an online store that contains various helpful features that include the following:The Baby Registry service is a product of Babies R Us teaming up with Amazon.com. Parents that are expecting their baby are permitted to create an online baby registry or update a registry that was set up on one of the Babies R Us stores nationwide. What this registry rids the parents is the inconvenience of surmounting geographic barriers and presumption of which products suit your baby. This way, when your friends and relatives plan to buy your baby a gift, it won?t be that much of a hassle anymore. All that they have to do is go online, select, buy and get the gift delivered to you on time. All the land-based Baby R Us stores allow all purchase returns as an added feature.Baby R Us also constantly maintains a ?Top Seller List? that usually include educational baby equipment, baby books, a pregnant mom?s book, diaper accessories, comfy baby bouncer, play gyms, baby call nursery monitors, a changing pad, monitors with dual receivers, an infant car seat base, baby wraps, toddler rockers, baby swings, nursery care kits, feeding bottle set, etc. Baby R Us online store also allows browsers to check on different brands of baby products that suit their preferences. The following are the categories that Baby R Us provides various brands of products on: gear, activity, toys, nursery, health and safety, specialty stores, feeding, bath and potty, and clothing and layette.Baby R Us also presents gift ideas to those who want to share some goodies to their little kids, nephews, nieces, granddaughter or grandsons. A gift set is always considered a hit in making parents with their babies smile with appreciation. These are often in baby gift basket forms that contain various items that deal with the parents and baby?s needs. There are also these ?Parents Favorite? items and Babies R Us? basic gift ideas that are never surmounted by novel items. Gift certificates are also available as treats to the parents-to-be. Baby R Us even added ?new baby? or ?pregnancy? e-card. Along with this e-card, the option of an e-mail or a paper gift certificate is still offered.Babies R Us online even has this resource center page that includes various buying guides, checklists, articles, advices and other information that will both benefit the parents and the baby.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Submit your articles and get a PR4 backlink to your website! Submit Articles! We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles!

20 Harmful Things You Should NEVER Do To Your Baby

These are the 20 silly things that you should never do to your baby... Never!!

(1) Never let your baby play with balloons or plastic bags -- they could be a choking hazard.

(2) Never put stuffed animals or dolls that hold cassette tapes near your baby when she sleeps because if the tape unwinds it could cause strangulation.

(3) Never let your baby snack on crackers or other bread products all day. These can maker her less interested in more nutritious foods and can fill her up.

(4) Never leave your baby with someone you don't know.

(5) Never put magnets on the refrigerator door because these magnets can break and the small spieces can cause a choking hazard.

(6) Never put off decorating your nursery because you might not have time after the baby arrives.

(7) Never put solid foods, like cereal, in your baby's bottle since it may pose a choking hazard and it also adds unnecessary calories.

(8) Never put clothes that has loose ties or strings on your baby because these could cause strangulation.

(9) Never put too many large toys in the playpen with an older baby who can pull herself up. She might use these to climb out.

(10) Never give your infant any small, hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn or raisins.

(11) Never heat bottles in the microwave because the milk could get too hot and burn your baby.

(12) Never keep loose objects in the back seat of the car when baby is in the car seat. If the car suddenly stops, the objects can fall on your baby.

(13) Never leave a baby alone in a parked car for any reason.

(14) Never leave your newborn baby with a toddler, even if they seem to be getting along. Toddlers may endanger the baby without even knowing it because they are sometimes unpredictable.

(15) Never leave plastic dry cleaner bags near the baby's room because your baby can pull off pieces and choke on them.

(16) Never leave your baby alone, except in a crib.

(17) Never leave your child in the bathtub alone.

(18) Never leave your window screens open.

(19) Never let your baby sleep or nap with a bottle of juice or even milk. This may cause tooth decay.

(20) Never use pressure gates at the top of stairs because your baby could lean against it, push it over and go tumbling.

If you have loved this article, what out for my next issue titled: DON'T Do This If You Have A Baby! Here Are 18 Practical Tips. You'll definitely like it! :-)

Copyright 2006. Jonathan Teng
About the Author

Grab your FREE 5 Day Baby Caring Secrets Mini Course and learn 100s of surefire Tips and Tricks about how to take care of your newborn baby from A to Z. Visit: Baby Caring Secrets TODAY!

Birth of a Baby Birth of a Parent

So youre pregnant? Congratulations! Your life is about to change in ways you might find unthinkable (and were not even talking about the surrender of your once slim waistline to proportions most comparable to that of a Dr. Suess character). Pregnancy is the beginning of a new life for a baby, but also a new life for you as a parent. If this is your first baby, you may be filled with an endless list of questions and concerns. If youre a veteran of the labor and delivery room, youve got a better idea of what to expect, yet every pregnancy, like every mother and child, is different.

Making Choices

While pregnancy and birth have physiologically been the same since the beginning of time, your options as a pregnant woman today are greater than at any previous time in history. After confirming your pregnancy, your first (and arguably most important) decision to be made is choice of caregiver. While traditionally in the U.S., maternal care has been provided through obstetrical physicians and hospital births, there is a growing movement towards return to low intervention, midwife-assisted births. How do you know which is right for you? Consider what is most important to your birth experience (always remembering that birth is anything but predictable and flexibility is vital). Are you interested in birthing naturally, without the aid of drugs or invasive procedures? Would you rather give birth at home or in a birthing center as opposed to a hospital? A midwife may be the right choice for you. Conversely, if you know up front youll want an epidural at the first sign of labor pain youll probably find the anesthesiologist at your local hospital to be your best friend. Keep in mind, each choice has its pros and cons and its up to you to weigh which option is the best for your needs. If you give birth at home and have complications, youll need to be transported to the hospital. Epidurals may provide excellent pain relief (or not), but have potentially serious, although rare, side effects. Some birthing centers will not accept a mother attempting vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC). Being an educated consumer in your pregnancy will allow the best possible birth experience and beginning for your new baby.

Planning for Baby

Somewhere around middle to late pregnancy (usually about the time you can no longer see your toes because of your protruding middle), youll want to start making accommodations at home for your babies expected arrival. If this is your first, trust yourself to the care of an experienced mommy friend who can prevent New Mother Shopping Syndrome, i.e., going to Babies R Us and spending an exorbitant amount of money on baby paraphernalia that, not only do you not need, but you will never use. Yes, the mommy bear that emits sounds of the womb is cute. No, your baby will not be fooled. This is the time to cultivate self control, which will particularly come in handy when your precious baby has become a 16-year old who has just wrecked the family car.

Babies actually need very little in the way of gear for the first few months of life. If youre planning to family bed, you can skip the nursery furniture altogether. Some good choices of useful items include a five-point harness infant car seat, a quality hospital grade breast pump if youre planning to breastfeed (Medela is the gold star standard), and plenty of Onesies for sleep and play. A baby sling is also useful for helping mom get things done around the house while still meeting the babies need to be held, and also for discreet public breastfeeding. Skip the infant carrier, which can only be used for about six months, at which point youll have to purchase a regular car seat anyway. Also unnecessary are baby toys, gyms, etc., which will not be of interest to the infant until they are at least six months.

Delivering the Goods

Prepare for labor and delivery by compiling a plan for your caregiver sharing your wishes for birth. Discuss your feelings on all types of medical intervention including the use of epidural, IVs, artificial rupture of the membranes, fetal monitors, episiotomy, etc. Remember that a birth plan is simply that, a plan. Since no one knows exactly how any given birth will proceed, it is not a guarantee of any kind. While the mothers experience with birth is important, the ultimate goal is a healthy baby, whatever it takes to achieve it. A birth plan is simply helpful in communicating the type of birth experience you would like to have, and if you have made a wise selection in caregiver, you will have someone who will work with you to honor these wishes to the extent they are possible. You may want to hire a doula to assist during labor. A doulas purpose is to support and be an advocate for the mother, and can be helpful in achieving the mothers goals towards birth.

Surviving the First Weeks

After nine months of waiting and planning, your baby is finally in arms. What next? Despite that you might feel youve gotten away with something when the hospital staff actually allows you to leave with your baby (whom you think you have no idea how to care for), remembering a few simple tips can help things go more smoothly.

Feed your baby on demand. Dont try to schedule feeding sessions, which can be detrimental to establishing a proper milk supply if breastfeeding, and simply isnt good for baby.

Keep a record of wet and soiled diapers for the first few weeks to assure baby is taking in enough breast milk or formula.

Hold baby as often as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, he cant be spoiled.

Always remember to place your baby on his back to sleep and tummy to play, to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Call your pediatrician if your baby develops a fever, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, remember motherhood is a work in progress and cut yourself some slack. You will make mistakes, learn, grow and change. Both babies and parents are born, and neither reaches their full potential overnight.

Making Choices

While pregnancy and birth have physiologically been the same since the beginning of time, your options as a pregnant woman today are greater than at any previous time in history. After confirming your pregnancy, your first (and arguably most important) decision to be made is choice of caregiver. While traditionally in the U.S., maternal care has been provided through obstetrical physicians and hospital births, there is a growing movement towards return to low intervention, midwife-assisted births. How do you know which is right for you? Consider what is most important to your birth experience (always remembering that birth is anything but predictable and flexibility is vital). Are you interested in birthing naturally, without the aid of drugs or invasive procedures? Would you rather give birth at home or in a birthing center as opposed to a hospital? A midwife may be the right choice for you. Conversely, if you know up front youll want an epidural at the first sign of labor pain youll probably find the anesthesiologist at your local hospital to be your best friend. Keep in mind, each choice has its pros and cons and its up to you to weigh which option is the best for your needs. If you give birth at home and have complications, youll need to be transported to the hospital. Epidurals may provide excellent pain relief (or not), but have potentially serious, although rare, side effects. Some birthing centers will not accept a mother attempting vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC). Being an educated consumer in your pregnancy will allow the best possible birth experience and beginning for your new baby.

Planning for Baby

Somewhere around middle to late pregnancy (usually about the time you can no longer see your toes because of your protruding middle), youll want to start making accommodations at home for your babies expected arrival. If this is your first, trust yourself to the care of an experienced mommy friend who can prevent New Mother Shopping Syndrome, i.e., going to Babies R Us and spending an exorbitant amount of money on baby paraphernalia that, not only do you not need, but you will never use. Yes, the mommy bear that emits sounds of the womb is cute. No, your baby will not be fooled. This is the time to cultivate self control, which will particularly come in handy when your precious baby has become a 16-year old who has just wrecked the family car.

Babies actually need very little in the way of gear for the first few months of life. If youre planning to family bed, you can skip the nursery furniture altogether. Some good choices of useful items include a five-point harness infant car seat, a quality hospital grade breast pump if youre planning to breastfeed (Medela is the gold star standard), and plenty of Onesies for sleep and play. A baby sling is also useful for helping mom get things done around the house while still meeting the babies need to be held, and also for discreet public breastfeeding. Skip the infant carrier, which can only be used for about six months, at which point youll have to purchase a regular car seat anyway. Also unnecessary are baby toys, gyms, etc., which will not be of interest to the infant until they are at least six months.

Delivering the Goods

Prepare for labor and delivery by compiling a plan for your caregiver sharing your wishes for birth. Discuss your feelings on all types of medical intervention including the use of epidural, IVs, artificial rupture of the membranes, fetal monitors, episiotomy, etc. Remember that a birth plan is simply that, a plan. Since no one knows exactly how any given birth will proceed, it is not a guarantee of any kind. While the mothers experience with birth is important, the ultimate goal is a healthy baby, whatever it takes to achieve it. A birth plan is simply helpful in communicating the type of birth experience you would like to have, and if you have made a wise selection in caregiver, you will have someone who will work with you to honor these wishes to the extent they are possible. You may want to hire a doula to assist during labor. A doulas purpose is to support and be an advocate for the mother, and can be helpful in achieving the mothers goals towards birth.

Surviving the First Weeks

After nine months of waiting and planning, your baby is finally in arms. What next? Despite that you might feel youve gotten away with something when the hospital staff actually allows you to leave with your baby (whom you think you have no idea how to care for), remembering a few simple tips can help things go more smoothly.

Feed your baby on demand. Dont try to schedule feeding sessions, which can be detrimental to establishing a proper milk supply if breastfeeding, and simply isnt good for baby.

Keep a record of wet and soiled diapers for the first few weeks to assure baby is taking in enough breast milk or formula.

Hold baby as often as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, he cant be spoiled.

Always remember to place your baby on his back to sleep and tummy to play, to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Call your pediatrician if your baby develops a fever, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, remember motherhood is a work in progress and cut yourself some slack. You will make mistakes, learn, grow and change. Both babies and parents are born, and neither reaches their full potential overnight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Eastom Bates is a freelance writing living in east Tennessee with her husband and two children. In addition to writing articles about pregnancy and parenting, Barbara develops quality of life media for Navy and Marine Corps families.

Traveling With Your Baby? Create A Home Away From Home!

Your travel life needn't grind to a halt just because you've become a parent. The key to help baby keep calm and soothed while traveling is to create a home away from home for them.

Baby Blankets and Snuggly Baby Toys

To help your baby feel safe and secure, bring along comforting items baby is familiar with. Their favorite stuffed animal, special burp cloth, or blanket can really help baby feel more at ease about being in a new and unfamiliar place. While keeping track of yet another item may seem like an extra hassle for you, your child will be happier, and thus more pleasant to travel with, clutching something soft and familiar. Keep a replacement blanket or snuggly toy on hand in case the original gets lost.

Bring Baby's Favorite Foods and Seats
Small children are notoriously picky eaters, and it's hard enough finding foods they like at home, let alone while you're traveling. You may be looking forward to sampling the local cuisine at your destination, but your child may be less excited about conch fritters and sauteed snails. If you're going out to a restaurant, bring a supply of your child's favorite foods to keep them satisfied and entertained while you enjoy your own meal.

Bring along your baby's bumbo baby seat to keep them snug and cozy while you feed them. (The Bumbo Baby Seat is a revolutionary infant chair that is uniquely designed according to the baby's posture. The Bumbo enables babies to sit upright all by themselves! Bumbo Baby Seats are suitable for babies from as young as six weeks, or as soon as they can support their own heads unaided, to an age of approximately fourteen months.)

Start Your Day Early, End Your Day Early
Traveling with a baby is not about sleeping in or staying out late. Young children are at their best earlier in the day, so plan to travel, sightsee, or explore in the morning. Afternoons and evenings are a good time for playing outdoors or relaxing back at your hotel. Respecting your baby's inner clock will make him less likely to throw a tantrum in the car, the street, or a crowded museum.

Bring Baby's Familiar Bed and Bedding

There are a number of portable baby cribs available on the market today. This is the most comforting, and likely the safest option for your baby while traveling. Many hotels offer baby cribs, however, many hotels still have older cribs that are not up to code with the most recent safety standards. Also, bring your own baby crib bedding. If you rely on your hotel for bedding, you may receive large sheets, which may be a hazard to your baby. If you can, bring a bed and bedding baby is used to. A familiar baby sleep sack may also help baby sleep well and will help keep them safe.

Keep Close To Your Home Away From Home
Baby's mood may be more unpredictable than usual when you're traveling, so it makes sense to establish a home base you can return to quickly and easily. Short jaunts away from your accommodations are less likely to tax your child's patience. And if the weather turns foul, someone gets sick, or your baby just wants to nap, you can quickly head back to the room.

Get A Routine - Then Stick With It!
Your baby has gotten used to their outine at home. Be sure that, when you travel, you also establish and stick with a ravel routine. Try to keep baby's eating and sleeping routine during travel as close to their regular home routine as possible. This will make baby more tolerant of other on-home-routine activities that will occur while traveling. Eating meals and taking naps at the same time each day may be all the routine your baby needs to feel comfortable in their new environment.
Children get jet lag, though not quite the same way as adults do. Changing time zones can complicate the adjustment process. Be sure to have your entire family (you included) rest up before travel that includes a significant time change. Well-rested children and parents cope better than tired ones with time changes. To minimize the effects of jet lag, plan to arrive at your destination in the evening and stick to your usual end-of-day routine: Give your baby a bath, read a book, and put baby to sleep at the usual bedtime in the new time zone. For example, if you are in London and it's 7 p.m. there, put baby down to sleep even if it's eight hours ahead of their normal bedtime. It will take a few days to adjust.

You can expect your baby's adjusting to travel to take several days. So, be patient and stick to a familiar routine, feed baby familiar foods and give baby familiar toys. <em>Be sure you stay nearby - you are the most familiar thing to your baby. </em>

Article By Michelle O'Connor

By Michelle O'Connor, Infant Car Seats

About the Author

Advice Columnist

How to Buy a Quality Car Seat Seven Tips

Car seats are mandatory baby equipment. I know that you?ll be tempted to cuddle your little bundle in your arms while driving, but please don?t! It?s just too dangerous and besides that, against the law.

Here are seven tips to buying a quality car seat for your child?

1. Buy a quality car seat. Make sure that the seal of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety is present on it. Make sure it?s constructed well with no sharp edges or loose parts.

2. Look for a car seat with travel system. The seat, infant carrier and stroller are all part of one convenient unit.

3. Make sue that you check for safety recalls. There are many safety recalls on car seats yearly. You don?t want to purchase one of those!

4. Choose cloth. It is generally more easily cleaned and is more comfortable.

5. Be positive that you choose the correct size. A small baby could slip out of a seat that is too large for him. It?s important that tiny babies under 20 pounds ride only in rear-facing seat. Only after the child is over 20 pounds should he be switched to front-facing seat.

6. Choose a car seat that has been given good reviews by other parents. Many online stores allow people to post reviews about their purchases. Why not check these out to see what other parents have to say?

7. Don?t use a used car seat unless you are able to borrow it and try it first. You want to make very sure that the parts are still functioning well, so your baby will be safe.

Proper child restraints are important. You don?t want to find that out the hard way.

Kristi Sayles, Child Development Coach/Elementary Teacher, invites you to visit her site at http://YourChildandYou.com for more parenting information, advice, products, and fun stuff.

Baby Furniture Buyers Guide

Baby furniture is one of the most popular types of gifts given at a baby shower. Gift shopping for nursery furniture can be made easier if the new parents have a gift registry at some popular stores in your area. However, this is often not the case. Be sure to always enclose a gift receipt with your gift so it can be returned if the new parents get duplicates.

Baby furniture is one of the most popular types of gifts given at a baby shower. Gift shopping for nursery furniture can be made easier if the new parents have a gift registry at some popular stores in your area. However, this is often not the case. Be sure to always enclose a gift receipt with your gift so it can be returned if the new parents get duplicates.

Communication between the guests would be wise to prevent any duplicate gifts. The guests could also choose to get together on something more expensive such as a piece of nursery furniture. The parents need items that will hold up well for their newborn, so check to make certain the item you choose is sturdy and built for safety.

Purchasing an expensive gift such as a piece of furniture for the nursery would help the new parents tremendously as they are probably strapped for cash at this point. What with the pre-natel care and the upcoming hospital and doctor expenses that come with any childbirth.

Baby Cribs

Cribs will be the most important piece of furniture the new parent will need for the baby. They come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to match any nursery theme or color scheme the parents might have for the nursery. They come as standard cribs, canopy, convertible, sleigh and various other types. Some of the more common features available would be adjustable mattress heights, metal mattress supports, one of three different kinds of release mechanism, rolling casters and/or a teething rail. A baby can use the crib from birth until around the age of 3. A safe and sturdy crib will cost from $150 to over $1000 depending on the quality of the wood and the features provided.

Crib Mattresses

A crib mattress is a very important item for the baby as she/he will be spending over 50% of his time on the mattress until he/she is around 3 years of age. Mattresses come in basically two types: foam or innerspring/coil. Foam weighs less while the innerspring/coil will last a much longer time. Accessories include bedding, crib sheets, crib wedges and waterproof mattress pads. High quality foam mattresses will cost between $80 to $100, while an innerspring/coil mattress will cost from $75 to $200.

Bedding-Bumpers-Sheets-Quilts-Shams

Most standard, canopy and convertible cribs will use standard size crib bedding. A round crib, porta crib, cradle and bassinet will all need special bedding to fit the size of the particular item. A bumper is a necessary item that is needed to keep the baby safe by keeping the baby's arms and legs from getting stuck in the slats. A quilt or comforter should not be used in the crib, but rather as a play mat for the baby. A diaper stacker is used to store your diapers and to keep the nursery more organized. Pillows are a safety hazard for the baby and should never be used in the crib. Most bedding sets can cost from $50 to as high as $700 for a set with better quality fabrics etc.

Changing Tables

A changing table should be well padded, have guardrails and include safety straps for the baby. They come in several types such as the combination sytle, dresser drawer and one with open shelves. Accessories include changing pads, oraganizers and wipe warmers. A changing table can be used from birth until about two years of age. They range in price from $90 to $200 depending on the accessories and storage space they have.

Rocking Chairs

A rocking chair would be a welcome addition to the baby nursery or living room. The rocking chair would give the mom-to-be lots of quality time with her newborn baby.

Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are a rather unique piece of furniture. A moses basket would be an unexpected but welcome baby shower gift. Also something the mother could pass on for a heirloom. This is an item that could be passed from generation to generation.

Child's Rocking Chair

A children's rocking chair would make a great gift. One that most people wouldn't think of giving. You wouldn't need to worry about duplicating your gift with some other guest with this gift.

Playpen & Play Yard

Play yards come in 3 different types. The basic which can be used as a playpen or a crib. One that has a bassinet built in for the newborn. A canopy style to keep you infant shielded from the sun and to keep in cooler in the outdoors. Accessories you can purchase seperately include a changing station, netting for outdoor use and sheets. A play yard can be used from birth until about 2 years of age. Good quality play yards cost between $60 to more than $200.

Portable Travel Crib

A portable travel crib would be great for those over-night trips out of town or state to family or friends.

Cradles

A cradle is used from birth until 4 months or the baby is able to roll from side to side. Cradles usually include a padded bumper, fitted sheet and a quilt or comforter. One of the advantages of a cradle is that you can rock it and it is lower than a crib.

Baby Dresser

Every nursery needs a chest of drawers for the newborn. You can buy them with a theme, in different styles, shapes and colors. If you know how the new parents will be decorating the nursery, you can match the baby dresser to the theme.

High Chair

All new parents need this very essential piece of furniture. There are several types of high chairs: Adjustable, conventional, booster and wooden. The high chair should have an adjustable tray, locking mechanism, some kind of restraint system and possibly rolling casters which are allowed to be locked easily. Parents can use the high chair as soon as the baby is born for bottle feeding if it is capable of fully reclining.

Bassinets

A traditional piece of nursery furniture would be a bassinet. The baby can use the bassinet from birth until about 4 month of age. Bassinet sets usually include a hood cover, fitted sheet, plain sheet and a bumper.

Car Seats

A car seat is a necessity because every state requires the baby be restrained while in a car. Newborns must travel in the back seat in a car seat that faces the rear of the car. After the baby is a year old you change to a forward facing car seat. Car seats come in several different types. An infant car seat, convertible and booster seats. Infant and convertible car seats cost between $60 and $300.

Strollers

Strollers come as a standard stroller, single, umbrella, double strooler or as a travel system which is a combination stroller and car seat. Most strollers have a canopy, front bar, harness, reliner and a storage space. Accessories available include accessory bars, attachable toy and activity bars, infant headrests, rain sheilds and stroller connectors for attaching two strollers together. A stroller can be used from around 4 months of age until about 3 or 4 years old. Depending on the style and quality strollers can be purchased for as little as $15 to as much as $1,000.

Baby Monitor

A monitor may be a luxery item, but it can give the parents added reassurance that their baby is safe. There are several types: audio, audio/movement and audio/video monitors. Monitors can be used from newborn to toddler. Depending on the type of monitor, you can buy them for as little as $20 on up to $400, with the audio/video monitor being the most expensive.

Bouncer Seat

A very useful item is a bouncer seat. They can come with an accessory toy bar, canopy, restraint and variable speeds. A bouncer seat can be used from newborn until the baby is 9 months old. The standard non-battery operated bouncer seats cost between $40 and $75 while the battery operated seats tend to cost a bit more.

Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Randy is owner of Profitable Home Businesses, How to Plan a Baby Shower and Las Vegas Weddings.

The Importance of Auto Accessories

Auto accessories play a key role in smartening up a vehicle and keeping it looking top notch. These accessories are supplementary components that improve the capability of a vehicle, and in fact play a cardinal role in the entire process of auto care.

Car Care:

Car care involves comprehensive care and attention to interior and exterior accessories, body, tires, engine and other mechanical parts. This is necessary to keep the vehicle in top performance and appearance.

Interior car accessories may include dash covers, car seat covers, mirrors, shifter knobs, aftermarket steering wheels, steering wheel covers, fuel consumption meters, window tint film, stereo system, mobile video or DVD players, floor mats, and air fresheners.

Car seat covers can be purchased in various materials and designs, depending on one's preference. These include leather seat covers, sheepskin seat covers, custom car seat covers and infant car seat covers.

Exterior accessories may consist of styling body kits, spoilers, sports mirrors, head and tail light covers, car hood shields, car bras, window visors, car covers, a sunroof, wiper blades, hood scoops, window graphics and wheel caps.

Truck or SUV care:

Undertaking regular care of one's truck or SUV is naturally very important to keep it in top form. This may also involve sourcing and storing various new or second hand truck accessories, depending on the significance or rarity of the parts required.

Some specialized truck accessories include customized truck covers, novelty hitch covers, pickup truck bed covers, and tonneau covers.

Benefits of Auto Accessories:

Auto accessories provide smart looks to a vehicle. If they are of good quality and taste they provide embellishment to a point where a vehicle would look plain and incomplete without them.

The roles of auto accessories are twofold; not only do they smarten up a vehicle, but also help protect the vehicle's parts from wear and tear. A good example would be how seat covers protect the seats of a vehicle from body wear and the sun, and how a steering wheel cover not only protects the steering wheel from wear, but provides a good grip for the driver.

Buying Auto Accessories:

Today with the internet, auto accessories can easily be purchased or ordered online. With such a vast array of online auto accessory stores, you can be sure to find exactly what you are looking for.
About the Author

Paul MacIver is a car enthusiast, and writes for Performance Cars and Car Stuff Online where you can find further details on specialized auto accessories. You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, and bio is included with all links intact.