Device Offers Water Safety
For swimmers, boaters, surfers, fishermen or other water sport enthusiasts, Aqua Buoy is a new 4 ounce, compact plastic flotation device that is worn on the wrist like a watch, and can be adjusted to fit any arm size.
A flotation pillow can be activated by tripping the lever and releasing a self-inflating nylon cushion that stays connected to the wristband by a light cord. Its Pompano Beach, Fla., manufacturers say it can “keep a heavy man afloat and is simple enough for a child to use.”
“It is an excellent water safety device,” said Joseph Pecoraro, president of the Chicago chapter of the United States Lifesaving Assn., which tested the unit under “extreme and normal weather conditions.”
Aqua Boy costs $29.95, including shipping and handling, and may be ordered from Aqua Boy U.S.A.’s California representative, James Russ, at (714) 752-8408.
Wet Phones
Another water-related product introduced recently is Sony’s Sports Phone, a cordless telephone that is water resistant, allowing you to take calls in the bath, hot tub, pool or sauna. It can’t be fully immersed in water, but splashing won’t hurt it because of special gaskets that seal out moisture.
Sports Phone also doubles as a two-way intercom to communicate from the pool to the house or vice versa. It costs $219, plus $5 for shipping and handling and is available at the Sharper Image stores. The Los Angeles store is located on Wilshire Boulevard at Grand Ave.; (213) 622-2351. For mail order from Sharper Image, call (800) 344-4444.
Fresh Wine
Coming to some Southern California stores in late September: The Wine Keeper, a plastic and rubber device that seals an open bottle of wine, keeping it fresh for drinking another day.
After placing the unit’s reusable stopper on the bottle, a hand pump is put on top and pushed up and down until a vacuum is created inside the bottle and the pump can be removed.
The Wine Keeper’s manufacturer, HOAN (Housewares of All Nations) in Brooklyn, N.Y., recommends keeping the closed bottle in the refrigerator until you are ready to reopen it. The three-piece set--two reusable stoppers and the air removal pump--will retail for $9.99 and will be available at May Company, Fedco, Von’s Pavillion markets and Lucky Stores’ Advantage markets.
Design a Room
Do-it-yourself home designers may find Stanley Tools’ Project Planner a handy item in creating floor plans for a single room or an entire house--all on a scaled GridBoard with architectural symbols.
The Home Designer kit includes a ruled layout surface with more than 500 peel and stick symbols of furniture, fixtures, appliances and even a grand piano to be placed or moved on the board in whatever plan is desired. Windows, doors, fireplaces and stairs are also part of the package, enabling the user to plan up to a 6,500-square-foot house interior. The pieces stay in place on the board until you move them with the tip of a scissors or a razor knife, and they are reuseable.
In addition to the home floor planning system, the Connecticut company also offers Landscape Designer, Kitchen Designer and Deck Designer. The kits sell for about $24.95. For information on Southern California retail stores carrying the product, call (800) 648-7654 or write to Stanley Tools Co., 600 Myrtle St., New Britain, Conn. 06050.
