Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 29, 1995 TAG: 9505310004
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: LYNN SIMROSS LOS ANGELES TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A temperature-sensing device inside the nipple transmits the heat from the child's mouth to an electronic circuit on the front of the thermometer, and the temperature is then displayed on an LCD window. During use, a quiet beeper sounds at preset intervals to confirm the device is working, and a long set of beeps goes off when the process is complete.
The unit runs on a built-in 1.5-volt battery and is equipped with an on-off button, an automatic shut-off to avoid battery drain and a storage cover to keep the nipple clean. It has an estimated 18-month battery life and comes with a one-year warranty.
Reps from Questech International, the Tampa, Fla., developer of the thermometer, say it is accurate within .2 degrees Fahrenheit. The Wee Care pacifier-thermometer is designed for children 5 or younger. It has been approved for sale as a medical device by the Food and Drug Administration and meets the safety requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Questech expects to have the Wee Care Digital Pacifier Thermometer on the market in mass merchandisers and drug, department and baby stores in July. Suggested retail will be from $14.99 to $16.99. For more information, call Questech at (800) 966-5367.
According to recent studies, safety experts are realizing carbon monoxide poisoning in homes is more common than they thought. This colorless, odorless, cumulative poison can be produced by fuel-burning appliances such as oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and cars. Exposure to high levels of CO can kill you.
Although there are several CO detectors on the market, Nighthawk 2000 appears to be the first one for residences that shows the CO levels in the air on a continuous digital readout. Homeowners can monitor the display for an early visual warning of even low levels of CO, so they can find the source and fix it before the 85-decibel alarm kicks in to alert them to dangerous levels of the silent poison.
Each Nighthawk unit is equipped with a sensor and internal micro-controller to detect CO, and is individually tested and calibrated at the factory. The 2000 is powered from any standard 110V outlet and is estimated to last up to 10 years without any readjustment or recalibration.
Nighthawk 2000 ($69.95) is available nationwide at Ace, True Value, Wal-Mart and Best stores, and Sam's Warehouse clubs.
Computer owners who need a desktop microphone will want to consider the new Free-D Model FD-01, a white gooseneck unit that lets users place it anywhere within their work space and adjust its position. Its adhesive stand will attach to the side of a computer or desktop.
Free-D (free direction) is essentially a ``plug and play'' design for voice-recognition software because it works with older (dynamic) and newer (condenser) microphone inputs. There is nothing to require adjustments or modifications of sound cards. The Free-D also can be hand held and operated as a microphone with home stereo systems.
Free-D Model FD-01 ($29.95) comes with a lifetime warranty and is just now being shipped to computer stores nationwide. If you can't find it in your area, contact its manufacturer, MIDI Land Inc., 440 S. Lone Hill Ave., San Dimas, Calif. 91773; (909) 592-1168.|
Ryobi has just developed a little engine that could help reduce environmental pollution. It's the first four-cycle engine small enough for use on hand-held lawn equipment such as grass trimmers, edgers and blowers.
The new engine doesn't mix oil and gas, as other lawn equipment does, so that cuts out the smoky, oily exhaust that's bad for the environment - a good deal for the quality of the air when you consider that running a grass trimmer for one hour can create the same amount of smog-producing gases as driving a car for 70 miles.
The new engine is featured on Ryobi's new multiuse TrimmerPlus 970r, a system of tools that attach to the trimming base, turning it into an edger, cultivator, blower, vacuum or a tree pruner. TrimmerPlus ($179-$229) is available nationwide at lawn-and-garden centers and mass merchandisers.
In a rare industry move, Ryobi North America has offered to license its four-cycle engine technology to other North American companies to help them in meeting upcoming regulations limiting exhaust emissions from garden equipment. They say the engine can reduce exhaust pollutants by 80 percent compared to other engines of its size.|
How much time do you spend surfing TV channels? If your answer is ``a lot,'' check out StarSight, the only on-screen program guide that also has one-button VCR recording. StarSight lets you know in an instant what's on every channel for the next seven days.
Several models of brand-name televisions were equipped to receive StarSight last year, among them Zenith and Mitsubishi. Sony and Samsung will introduce VCRs with StarSight this summer. Uniden satellite receiver also offers StarSight.
The Magnavox/StarSight CB1500 is the first stand-alone StarSight receiver that works with most TVs and VCRs. Not only can viewers find out what's on every channel by number, but StarSight lets them select a program by title or theme and also find closed-captioned programming.
And recording a program on your VCR is a snap. Touch one button on a remote control and StarSight allows you to record a current or future TV program or a daily or weekly series of related programs. Viewers can set their own order of channels by preference and delete channels they never watch.
Magnavox/StarSight CB1500 receiver (suggested retail, $149-$169) is easy to hook up, according to StarSight representatives, and when viewers call the toll-free number, a consumer representative will talk them through the activation process step by step. There's a one-time activation fee of $15. The monthly fees vary. A six-month package costs $25.99, which averages to $4.33 a month; one year, $46.99 or $3.92 a month; two years, $84.99 or $3.54 a month.
StarSight products are available at nationwide electronics dealers, including Circuit City. Or call StarSight at (800) 643-STAR.
LifeHood is an emergency escape smoke hood in a container the size of a soda can. It is simple to use and can filter out toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, that can be deadly in a house fire.
To activate, twist off the lid of the heavy plastic container. Put on the see-through plastic hood, insert the mouthpiece on the container and apply the nose clip. Then pull the tapes snugly around your neck to keep smoke and fumes out of the hood. You can then breathe through the filters inside the container while escaping a burning building.
Knight International Holdings of Chicago, which distributes LifeHood ($69.95), also offers Evac-U8, marketed for use in commercial and apartment buildings, and AirVacuate, for airplanes. You can buy these hoods through several catalogs: Frontgate, (800) 626-6488; High Street Emporium, (800) 362-5500; Herrington, (800) 622-5221; Sporty's Pilot Shop, (800) LIFT-OFF.
by CNB