Showing posts with label Underwriters Laboratories Inc.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Underwriters Laboratories Inc.. Show all posts

Underwriters Laboratories - Summer Pool and Spa Safety for All

Part I of a Underwriters Laboratories "Safety at Home" Series. Giveaway: See end of post.

Real Life Sarah and I @ UL



In the South, we swim a lot. It's hot and there is nothing like a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Or a competitive wave with the swim team.

Recently, it was a privilege to be invited to Underwriters Laboratories "Pool and Summer Safety at UL's RTP Laboratory!" here in North Carolina. I was honored to be trained to be "Safety Advocate!" by such experts.



Underwriters Laboratories helps families stay summer safe, not sorry.

"While summertime activities make for fond memories, they also send 2.7 million kids to the emergency room every year due to accidents in or around the home."


We were trained in three areas: Pool safety, Grilling safety and Play Set safety.

John Drengenberg, Director, Consumer Safety was here from Chicago. What a joy to meet a man with such a passion for safety and for UL where he has spent his career - 40 years. Remarkable. He is an excellent corporate spokesman for consumer safety. Plus we had a lot of fun along with Real Life Sarah and other media. Who knew safety could be fun!

Seriously, today we will cover Pool Safety.

The number one thing we discussed was about Pool Supervision. We all know we can never be careful enough. We have lifeguards at our pool and still... . Supervision is a must.


"Follow the 10/20 Rule" when you're at the pool. The 10/20 Rule states the supervising adult needs to be able to scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the water within 20 seconds." Honestly, I had never heard that Rule. And what a world of help it can be.

Always have rescue devices such as UL-Listed life preservers. nearby. We got to see all of the testing that goes on behind the scenes at UL. So when you buy a product with the UL label - you know it is tested against the highest of standards. I'll share a few here.

Keep in mind sizes of Pool Flotation Devices - children grow each year; keep PFDs out of the sunshine. The sun can effect the materials and the effectiveness.

Here is a helpful link to the UL residential Pool and Spa Safety page. You can follow UL on Twitter @SafetyatHome


Giveaway: Enter to Win a UL sponsored $25 Target Gift Card! Two Winners will be chosen.

1) Visit link above and list one Safety help from the list;
2) Twitter this post
3) Join the new Carolina Mama Facebook page
4) List one UL logo item in your home, appliances, electronics, etc.

Good luck!

*This post was sponsored by UL - the opinions are all my own!
This is published at "Works For Me Wednesday!"

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Freedom, Safety and Berry Patriotic Cupcakes

We love 4th of July...and Labor Day...! We love our Freedom and the USA! Let's Celebrate!

Loved getting this email from Kraft for a new patriotic spin on their Flag Cake that we have loved on 4th of July's past! You can get the Kraft emails and information too. Just go to the link above and sign up for all this goodness.

These are cute and look really easy. We have a couple of fun parties going this weekend, and other festivities! :) So these will be a quick and convivial addition.



Kraft's Berry Patriotic Cupcakes

What you need
12 chocolate cupcakes, cooled
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
12 small strawberries, stems removed, each cut into 5 slices
1/4 cup blueberries
make it

SPREAD cupcakes evenly with whipped topping.

ARRANGE 5 of the strawberry slices on top of each cupcake to form a star.

FILL center of stars evenly with blueberries. Store in refrigerator.

Here is a little Carolina Mama Tip: Working with whip creams can be tricky. To look like the picture, I would decorate just before serving. And then store the extra in the refrigerator immediately. While it looks pretty, the lightness of whip cream can compromise the look. Otherwise, they are a guilt free option. They have great fat-free whip cream now. Or ate least Lite. Let me know what you decide.

What are some of your favorites? We love grilled corn so that will have to be on the plate! What's cooking at your home this 4th of July ? Have fun and keep safe! I am so excited to have a three-part safety series coming from the amazing media event at Underwriters Laboratories, North Carolina! UL is one great company working for safety at home - your home! Let me know if you have safety questions you would like to have answered and yes, we will have GiveawayS! See y'all soon!

*This recipe published at "Tasty Tuesday!" Check it out for more great recipes and tips!


Warmly, Carolina Mama