The IT Nerd

This is probably a first for IT Nerd.

We were invited to an event called “Mom’s Must-Haves” where we were going to look at must have items if you’re a parent.  Another first – the wife of the IT Nerd as a guest blogger as I was best suited to speaking to the items at this event. Let me say at the onset that I am not a clinician although I have a life sciences background.  So I can speak to what I saw at this event which covers must haves for every mother. A lot of this is high tech in nature, so it fits well with the theme of this blog.

A thermometer is definitely a “must-have” in every home and especially if you are parent.  Why is it important?  It helps you to differentiate between a cold and a flu. Here’s how WebMD defines each:

“A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks. The flu can also result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and hospitalizations.”

How do know how to tell the difference?  Putting your hand on your child forehead provides you with absolutely no information.  Taking your child’s temperature tells you that your child may have a fever and when it may be an indication of something serious.

With these questions in mind, what thermometer do you get?  There are a many different types of thermometers on the market so do your research.  I started out with a mercury temperature where you slip it under the tongue however it is a long wait for a reading.  There is a danger that kids may accidentally bite down on the thermometer which means mercury spillage as well as glass.  Then there’s digital thermometers.  I purchased my digital thermometer during the SARS outbreak in Toronto as I had to measure my temperature daily and I have never looked back. There are many different digital thermometers out there for different taking methods:

• Ear
• Rectal
• Oral
• Axillary (under the arm)

Many sources would say taking rectal temperatures to be dangerous and especially for babies.  Not to scare anyone out there but it is possible to puncture something.  Furthermore, if you need to take temperatures daily or several times a day it is a pain in the butt (pun intended).  I would much prefer a thermometer that is easy to use and provides me with an accurate core temperature reading fast.  Fast for many of us is a convenience thing but for any parent fast can be a godsend to preventing a meltdown. The most important thing is for you to understand how your thermometer works and read the manufacturers instructions.  Here are my choices:

• Braun ThermoScan Ear thermometer – You may recognize this thermometer in your doctor’s office as your doctor pops out the lens filters after every use.  I would say many would consider this the “gold standard” as it’s pre-warmed tip guides you to take an ear temperature.  Many would feel taking an ear temperature to be more accurate as it’s closer to the core body temperature. Other features: multi-memory feature, disposable lens filters, protective storage case, 2 AA batteries. It retails for $79.99.

• Vicks Behind Ear Thermometer (V980CA) – Yes you read this correctly.  BEHIND THE EAR.  Of all the thermometers mentioned here this is the best and I will tell you why.  Right behind the ear is the carotid artery which gives you very accurate results.  This goes back to how accuracy is related to how close you can get to the core body temperature.  It’s non-invasive no sticking anything in your child’s bottom.  From anecdotal evidence it may even be able to take your child’s temperature without waking them up.  It’s easy to use and you can barely feel it’s even there.  It has the Vicks InSight colour-coded screen display system to tell you green (you’re good), yellow (your child has a mild fever and you should continue monitoring) and red (you may think of taking your child to the doctor or the ER).  It comes with a lifetime warranty and retails for $69.99.

• Vicks AgeSmart – Age adjustable thermometer (based on medical guidelines). I think of this thermometer as taking the guess work out for me.  How easy is it to punch in your child’s age and 8 seconds later you get a reading that is accurate.  Other features: displays in C / F, flexible tip, water resistant, memory feature. It retails for $21.99.

• Vicks ComfortFlex and SpeedRead Thermometers – these are your more basic thermometers that do the job as the fever insight feature provides you with their colour changing display (green/yellow/red) in 8 secs.  It can be used orally, rectally or under the arm. If you like a rigid tip (go for the Vicks SpeedRead) or for a flexible tip (go for the Vicks ComfortFlex). Other features: water resistant, memory feature.  They retail for between $15 – $20.

Now I do not know how many of you would consider air purifiers “must-haves” but considering how the weather is getting colder most of us are about to close our doors and windows our indoor environment and the air we breathe becomes even more important.  For those of us with kids you should also be thinking of the flu season. Plus there’s people with allergies and pets.

For any air purifier the “gold standard” is mention of True HEPA.  There are ones with washable filters and ones with replaceable filters.  It’s mostly a personal preference as to which one you choose.

• Honeywell AirGenious 5 Air Cleaner – With its 5 settings: Sleep, Germs, General, Allergen and Max – you can choose which functionality mode you would like and its associated ambient noise level as it stands to reason that the MAX setting would be a bit more noisy. The Honeywell Air Genius Air Cleaner captures up to 99.9% microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns. You can wash the filter, which means you do not have to buy filters for the machine.  However, the caveat here is you have to do it 3 times a year or every 4 months. It also comes with an option for you to install carbon pre-filters.  While some of you may thinking of it as a nice to have, I would argue you would be utilizing your air cleaner the way it’s meant to be used because unlike air fresheners that hide / mask odors carbon filters absorbs household VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) found in many common household products such as paint, cleaners, and even furniture.  Essentially there is no way we can avoid VOCs – so isn’t it a “nice to have.”  Be forewarned it’s not cheap as it retails for $249.99 but consider that it comes with a 5 year Limited Warranty. Carbon filters are not included. Here’s a picture of it:

• Honeywell True HEPA air purifier and allergen remover Model HPA300C – This is your deluxe premium top of the line True HEPA Allergen Remover (Air Purifier).  True HEPA is manufacturer speak to say that “their air filters are indeed certified to meet the HEPA standard”.  It’s design would blend into any room and can be programmed via auto-off timer for 2, 4, or 8 hour shuts off intervals or you can just run it 24/7.  It’s quiet and you can barely hear it.  It has 4 cleaning levels for fast cleaning and odor reduction. It retails for $329.99 and comes with a 5 year Warranty.

• Honeywell HPA164C – A True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover (Air Purifier).  It has 4 cleaning levels from “General clean / Germs / Allergens and Turbo” although at Turbo you can hear it.  There is built in odor reduction and built in LED filter reminder for your HEPA filter and pre-filter (odor reduction).  This a tower case that can blend into any room, is a good buy and easy to use with it’s LED tap control. Other features: auto timers 2, 4, and 8 hour shut off or 24/7 mode, ENERGY STAR qualified. It retails for $199.99.

Finally there are humidifiers. I’m not sure if it’s on my list of “must-haves” but if you have dry sinuses, bloody noses and cracked lips this may be a solution for you this winter.

Cool mist is thought to be the way to go rather than steam vaporizers as steam humidifiers may be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and in some cases may even cause burns.

• Honeywell Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier (Model HUT-300BC) – This is a sleek and sexy looking humidifier and it’s nothing like the white chunky thing your mom would have had when you were growing up.  No need to replace filters here.  It has the usual variable moisture control for customized output.  It has a fine mist and you barely notice that it’s working in the background.  This quiet machine can run for 2 days (48 hours) and will automatically shut off when it runs out of water.  This will fit into any room and decor.  Coming to a store near you in Oct and retails for $69.99. Here’s a picture of it:

• Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier (V3700/CAN / V3700PK-CAN) – If you need to convince your child that it can be fun to have a humidifier this is for you.  This is the cutest humidifier I have ever seen as it comes with a night light that projects stars unto the ceiling.  It’s available in both pink and blue.  As an added bonus it comes with a built-in scent pad heater where you can pop in a Vicks VapoPads.  Other features: up to 24 hours operation on 3.8 L tank, 3 year warranty.  It retails for $59.99.

• And lastly, if you have a sick child looking for some steam relief you may consider the Vicks 5.7 L Vapourizer where you can pop in your Vicks VapoPads.  Who needs mom to rub Vicks Vaporub when you have this gadget in the room while mom is at work.  It retails for $26.99. Here’s a picture of it:

So there are the “must-haves” for moms everywhere. Not quite the high tech you’re used to. But definitely high tech for anyone with children.

This entry was posted on October 8, 2013 at 8:52 am and is filed under Products with tags Mommy's Must Haves. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.