Reality Matters

• Thermal Paper
• Printer Ribbons
• Plotter Paper
• Pos Paper
• Engineering Paper
• Thermal Fax Paper
• Okidata Ribbons

Thermal paper makers in the United States have been under assault from Chinese suppliers who have been unfairly dumping light-weight thermal paper in the US at prices far below fair market value. Lightweight thermal paper is the sort used in devices such as credit card machines, ATM machines, cash registers and gas pumps. In October, the US International Trade Commission, acknowledged the damaging practice and moved strongly to restore the balance.

The Commerce Department has imposed anti-dumping tariffs ranging from 19.77% to 115.29 percent on lightweight thermal paper imported by the offending exporters and manufacturers in China. On top of those penalties, the Department of Commerce has also announced that it will impose additional tariffs to offset industry subsidies paid to Chinese manufacturers by the Chinese government. Combined total tariffs will range from 32.94% to 253.54%. Additionally, the Department found that some German suppliers were also guilty of dumping lightweight thermal paper in the US and imposed a 6.5% penalty tariff on the same items from certain German suppliers.

The Commerce Department’s move defends US thermal paper suppliers from foreign suppliers who have been selling these products in the US at prices either below the regular price in the originating country or in some cases at prices below the cost of production. This practice undermines the ability of domestic suppliers to compete fairly since they cannot match these ruinous prices. Mark Richards, the Chief Executive Officer of Appleton, a Wisconsin- based manufacturer of thermal paper, said in a statement that the Commerce Department had “restored a level playing field on which we can compete in this market.” For the 2400 employees of Appleton, that’s good news indeed.

It’s also good news for Jim Jones, the owner of thermal paper supplier Buyrolls.com. Jones said he was gratified to see the problem get sorted out correctly, even though it took a year to do it. The original complaint was filed with the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission was filed in September of 2007 by Appleton. Jones said that his business had certainly felt the effects of the dumping and he was glad to be back on track.

Testimony on behalf of the anti-dumping complaint was offered by a number of government officials from states with affected paper mills. Governor Jim Doyle, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, Congressmen Steve Kagen and Tom Petri of Wisconsin, Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Congressmen Michael R. Turner of Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania.

Although the debate between protectionist policies like the anti-dumping provisions and open market free trade will continue, in the case of this ruling on thermal paper, it looks like the Department of Commerce’s action has saved a number of American jobs and helped preserved many small businesses like Buyrolls.com as well.

• Discount Codes
• Dream Toys
• Most Popular Toys
• Harry Potter
• High School Musical
• Narnia

Buying toys for children is often as fun for the parent as for the child. However, not all toys are as safe as they can be. Here are the biggest toy-buying risks and how to make sure you and your child don’t fall prey to them.

1. Toxic Toys

   Toys manufactured and sold by reputable toy companies are thoroughly tested to ensure that they are safe for children in the age range specified on the box. However, there is a perpetually rising tide of toys on the market that contain either toxic ingredients like lead, or parts that can easily break and hurt children. In the UK, the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) is a voluntary organization for British toy manufacturers that encompasses approximately 95% of all toys sold in the UK. The BTHA requires that its members maintain rigorous safety standards and monitors toy safety throughout the country. Toys manufactured by BTHA members carry the “Lion Mark”- a yellow triangular symbol with a lion’s head inside.

   The best way to ensure that you are buying safe toys is to purchase from well-known and trusted toy manufacturers. You can often find information on recalled toys on these manufacturers’ websites. Also, watch your young children at play with a new toy to see how they are using it (Are they putting it in their mouth? Are they pulling at small parts that may snap off?) and discuss any concerns with the BTHA or the toy company.

2. Toys Under Recall

   Once toys have been officially recalled by the manufacturer or ordered recalled by standards authorities, they are required to be immediately pulled from store shelves and no longer offered for sale. Each manufacturer will have its own procedures for toy purchasers to return the product for refund, usually by returning it to the retail store where they purchased it or by shipping it back to the manufacturer.

   However, not all recalled toys get withdrawn from being sold. Small toy retailers may not get the recall notices on a timely basis or may not understand the importance of removing unsafe toys from the shelves. On the darker side, some toy sellers, both online and with bricks and mortar stores, may knowingly continue to sell toys under recall that they have picked up in bulk after the recall. There will always be those to whom making a quick buck is more important than safeguarding children.

   How can you make sure that the toys in your children’s toy box and the new ones you buy them are not under recall? There are several lists available that contain pictures and descriptions of recalled toys, including one at parents.com. You can also perform an internet search on the name of the toy. The best way to ensure that the toys you buy are safe is to buy from trusted manufacturers and trusted retailers. This way, you can be assured that the recall will be widely broadcast and that the toys will immediately be withdrawn from sale.

3. Buying Used Toys

   Most parents are interested in saving money any way they can and one way to do that is to buy children’s toys used. Although it can certainly save money, there are dangers with buying used toys that parents should not overlook. This is especially true with used baby toys as babies tend to explore their world with their mouths. Several long-lasting bacteria and viruses can stay on plastic or fabric toy surfaces for an extended period of time. To combat this, all used toys should be cleaned with bleach or other anti-bacterial cleaner prior to use. Another common hazard is breakage. It is impossible to know how the toy was cared for or used before you bought it. To make sure that there are no loose or damaged parts that could break off or become a danger, thoroughly test the toy before giving it to your child. If in doubt, call the manufacturer for assistance.

Children’s toys should be fun and safe, and, with some common sense and safety considerations, they can be.

Over the course of our lifetime, we accumulate “stuff” that represents our history, experiences and the good and the bad events that have occurred during our journey through life.

I suppose I am overly sentimental and obsessed with ensuring my own children have keepsakes from their babyhood and beyond. Perhaps it is because I do not have momentos from my babyhood and toddler years that I place a huge importance on ensuring that my children do have treasures that they can appreciate as the years pass by. Call me a pack rat for my kids!

Photographs

Photos are a fabulous means of recording the life of a child.

For each photograph I take of my children, a copy is put into a special box for each of my child. The date and place is recorded on the back of the photograph in addition to additional names of others that may be in the photo. When my children turn 18, I will pass these photographs to my children for their own keeping.

Baby Gifts - Videos

A wonderful, realistic means of recording actions, words and developments of babies, toddlers and up.

The camcorder is an absolutely fantastic electronic device that I have become close friends with since my first baby. Not only do I take videos, but I also utilize video editing software to record music and sounds to the video clips to make it all the more personalized and interesting to others and my children. A copy of all videos is also put into safe keeping for each of my children.

Clothing and Toys

One cannot keep every single piece of clothing or toy, however, I have kept a piece of clothing and a toy from their newborn stage that has been given by a special person in their life such as grandma, grandpa, aunts and uncles, mommy and daddy and other special family members or friends. As the years go on, I am sure the collection will grow with favorite toys that they have cherished through their childhood or other “stuff” that will bring back fond memories.

Baby / Toddler Record Keeping Books

Recording the particulars of baby’s birth, date of their first steps, the first word spoken, a clipping of hair from their first haircut or all the “firsts” will be a wonderful keepsake for children when they are older. Every person is curious to know what they were like as a baby, what their favoritie color or song was, etc. Remember, even parents forget such things and record keeping books are a great method of looking back and remembering your children.

Yes, I am probably Clean Sweep’s biggest nightmare but it is so important to me that I give my children a part of their history and I believe that they will be grateful when they are older and obtain these special treasures.

Personalized baby gifts and baby gift baskets are among our most popular gift items for newborn babies. Security blankets, baby blankets, plush toys and more embroidered with baby’s first name and birthdate are an excellent baby gift idea. Not only are they enchanting but are a fabulous keepsake gift that will last a lifetime. Baby gift wagons are also great for boys and girls.

Start your little blessing with a gift that will represent their babyhood and start in the journey of life.