The Importance of Crib Safety

At Cypriana, we care about your child’s safety and well-being. Not only do we provide healthy alternatives to traditionally-manufactured baby products, but we feel that it is equally important to convey safety awareness to our customers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently published a new Crib Safety article:

Building Baby Safety from the Ground Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A warm bath, lullaby and bedtime stories are staples in your child's nighttime routine. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents and caregivers to add a safe sleep environment to the daily routine of placing baby to sleep.

CPSC staff is aware of 97 crib related deaths from 2002 through 2004.

A CPSC staff analysis (pdf) of reports of deaths related to cribs found that about half of the deaths were in cribs containing pillows, quilts and other bedding. About half of these were due to suffocation when infants ended up face down on pillows or face down in a crib with pillows, quilts and other bedding.

Thirty-percent of crib deaths were attributed to entrapment between components of old cribs that were in bad condition, with broken or missing parts or loose hardware, and entrapment in spaces generated between the sides of a crib and an ill fitted mattress. The remainder of the deaths were associated with accessories situated in/around the crib (such as window cords or curtain tie backs), falls out of cribs, alterations made to cribs, or entrapment when the child became wedged between the crib and other furniture or a wall.

As CPSC works to remove defective products from the marketplace, parents and caregivers are being asked to take action as well.

The CPSC is urging parents:

• To reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation, place baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib that meets current safety standards
• To prevent suffocation never use a pillow as a mattress for baby to sleep on or to prop baby's head or neck
• Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps generated between loose components, broken slats and other parts of the crib and their head and neck become entrapped in the space.
o Do not use old, broken or modified cribs
o Regularly tighten hardware to keep sides firm
• Infants can suffocate in spaces generated between the sides of the crib and an ill fitted mattress; never allow a gap larger than two fingers at any point between the sides of the crib and the mattress
• Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; infants can strangle on curtain or blind cords.
• Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers' directions. Only use the mattress provided with the play yard. Do not add extra mattresses, pillows or cushions to the play yard, which can cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
• Routinely check nursery products against CPSC recall lists and remove recalled products from your home
• Sign-up for automatic e-mail recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov

The CPSC has been working since 1973 to improve crib safety with the publication of mandatory standards for full-size cribs and non-full size cribs. CPSC staff has also been involved in the development of voluntary standards for cribs addressing issues such as corner posts and structural and mechanical failures. The work of the CPSC has contributed to an 86% decrease in crib-related deaths.

Freshen Your Furniture with Custom Slipcovers

At Cypriana, we offer many choices for your decorating needs. One of our most popular services is our Custom Slipcovers, which are measured, pin fit, and installed using the European method to ensure a proper fit. We have over 40 years of sewing experience and are a trusted resource for your slipcover needs.

The many advantages of slipcovers:

- Refreshing way to redecorate without the exorbitant costs of buying new furniture

- Offered in a wide range of fabrics and styles: traditional, contemporary, formal, ruffled, tailored, or casual

- Measured in your home, preventing the expense and hassle of transporting furniture and loss of use during redecoration

- Custom décor can be changed for seasons or holidays as all slipcovers are removable via a hidden zipper

- Easy to wash and remove, making slipcovers a perfect solution for families with children or pets

- Coordinating pillows and draperies can be easily designed to match

- Environmentally-conscious as existing furniture can be updated and reused

Custom slipcovers are a wonderful way to easily redecorate your home. Call or stop by Cypriana for a consultation today!

Cypriana ~ the natural home store

The Beauty of Organics

Most of the clothing and fabric currently available for sale in the United States originate abroad. Free from the more stringent U.S. guidelines, these fabrics are often tainted with harmful chemicals during the cultivation or manufacturing processes. In conjunction with sustainability and eco-friendly issues, consumers are now beginning to seek organic fabrics.

The reasons for seeking organic materials are compelling, yet locating local sources of organic fabric is often difficult. At Cypriana, we carry an array of Certified Organic Cottons milled in the United States. These fabrics are soft, durable, and washable and come in natural colors woven into beautiful designs.

Let Cypriana be your source for organic and chemical-free fabrics!


Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Save 15% off your next Cypriana purchase!

At Cypriana, we understand how difficult our economy is on consumers right now. We can't fix the problem, of course, but we can help by offering our customers 15% off their next purchase, now through the end of February 2009.

Print off or mention this blog posting and get 15% off your next Cypriana purchase.


Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Running Wild's Dark Chocolate Bar Soap

What could be a more decadent and luxurious expression of love than chocolate? For this Valentine’s Day, give a unique chocolate gift: Dark Chocolate Bar Soap from Running Wild. Made in Washington with 72% raw cocoa butter and extra dark chocolate, this gentle soap has an incredibly rich, chocolaty smell and is extremely moisturizing, making it a perfect winter gift for dry skin.

Stop by Cypriana today to pamper your Valentine’s skin with the rich, sensuous and romantic Dark Chocolate Bar Soap.

Featuring vegan ingredients: Saponified, Calendulated Olive, Castor, Wheat Germ, Palm, Coconut, and Soybean Oils, Shea Butter, Benzoin Powder, Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Butter.


Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Nandina Towels - luxurious, practical, environmentally-conscious

What happens when you blend certified organic cotton and plantation grown wild bamboo? The result is an exciting fiber called Nandina® that is the first of its kind to meet the strictest standards for organic textiles. This new yarn has tremendous appeal because of its softness, durability, and easy-care qualities.

Cypriana is proud to carry a full line of bath linens made with Nandina® FutureFibers® that take advantage of this special combination of cotton and bamboo, resulting in towels that are luxurious, practical and environmentally conscious.

Luxurious
Made from bamboo, a naturally disease and pest-resistant plant, and organically grown cotton, these towels are ultra-soft and beautifully crafted.

Practical
Nandina ® fibers are highly absorbent and anti-microbial even after numerous washings. Made of all natural materials, Nandina® towels are breathable, hypoallergenic, wrinkle resistant, and can be laundered in cool water.



Environmentally-conscious
Growing up to a foot per day, bamboo can reach full maturity in three years when it can be harvested and further propagated without replanting. Bamboo crops are also maintained pesticide-free, reducing toxic chemical spillage into our environment and able to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide at a rate five times greater than a comparable stand of timber. In addition, because of their all-natural bamboo and cotton composition, Nandina® fibers readily retain organic and natural dyes and do not require fabric softeners during laundering, further reducing the use of toxic chemicals in your household.

Cypriana is delighted to introduce you to Nandina®, the fiber of the future!

Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Bamboo as a natural alternative

Typically thought of as the foodstuff of panda bears or a lovely addition to ornamental gardens or home décor, bamboo has been making a mainstream appearance in many fabrics. Derived from the pulp of the bamboo plant, bamboo is able to form long, strong fibers which are soft and durable, making bamboo the perfect natural fabric for your home.

In addition, the cultivation of bamboo is eco-friendly due to unique characteristics of the plant, including its natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, as well as a dramatic growth rate, yielding a sustainable crop that replenishes the harvested plant material immediately.



Health Benefits of Bamboo

- Naturally anti-microbial
- Acts as a natural barrier against the sun’s UV rays
-
Bamboo is Eco-Friendly

- Grows up to one foot per day without the use of fertilizers
- Pest-resistant, preventing chemical use during cultivation
- Absorbs fives time as much carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen compared to equivalent
- Upon harvest, the remaining plant continues to grow without replanting.

Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabrics drape like silk, but are machine washable and resist wrinkling naturally. The fibers are porous allowing them to absorb moisture better than traditional fabrics (see our Nandina® towels, which contain a unique blend of bamboo and cotton). The soft, smooth texture is a luxurious material suitable for bedding - feel our DreamSacks® sheets.

Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Five Ways to "Go Green" at Home

If “going green” is one of your New Year’s resolutions, consider eco-friendly home furnishings and décor. Cypriana has a selection of products that fit the organic, natural, and chemical-free criteria you are seeking!

We suggest:

1. Custom slipcovers and embroidered pillows can be custom tailored from organic fabrics to match your décor.

2. DreamSacks® bedding (sheets, pillowcases, comforters, duvet covers and more) make going green effortless and oh-so-soft.

3. Nandina® towels are made of an exclusive blend of pesticide-free bamboo and organic cotton and are a lavish, eco-friendly indulgence.

4. Running Wild Spirit soaps and lotions, handmade in Washington, reduce the carbon footprint of your gift and support the local economy.

5. Ecobaby bedding and mattresses are chemical-free, organic and natural alternatives to traditional mattresses.

Cypriana makes it is easy to go green!

Cypriana ~ the natural home store

Seven Green Gifts for Baby

The birth of a newborn is a time of excitement and celebration. As you celebrate a child’s birth, christening, baptism or birthday, choose a gift that best represents the ideals you most want to bestow: a healthy environment and a greener Earth!

Cypriana recommends these green gifts for baby:

1. Mother-ease Diapering system – Made from 100% organic U.S. cotton terry, this leak-free, natural cloth diaper system is designed to grow with your baby.

2. Ecobaby Mattresses – 100% organic, chemical-free mattresses.

3. Ecobaby Bedding – soft, 100% organic cotton crib bumpers, sheets, blankets, mattress covers and more.

4. Under the Nile babywear – beautiful layette items, bibs and burp cloths made from hand-picked, organically-cultivated Egyptian cotton and obtained via fair-trade agreements.

5. Nandina® Towels – ultra-soft and beautifully crafted, pesticide-free bamboo and organically grown cotton towels, perfect for bathing your boy or girl.

6. LeBlanc Laundry Soap – this mild detergent formula contains no bleach or caustics, has a neutral pH and is biodegradable, making it safe, green option for washing baby clothes and bedding.

7. Cypriana gift card – give the gift of green shopping!

Cypriana makes it is easy to give green!


Cypriana ~ the natural home store

More people are going green

The October 2008 issue of body+soul magazine reports that 36% of adults regularly buy green products. This percentage is up 12%, according to a 16-month survey conducted in 2007 by the research firm Mintel. During that time, the number of people who didn't shop green dropped to 10%. I'd be willing to bet the percentage of "green buyers" in the Seattle area is a bit higher!

Cypriana ~ the natural home store