Lighting a Halloween Pathway

Just in time for Halloween trick or treaters is the fun, functional Pumpkin Pack, a mini-flashlight topped with an orange glow-in-the-dark jack-o’-lantern.

The plastic, detachable jack-o’-lantern--whose top flips open to allow the regular flashlight beam to shine through--fits on the Mini Maglight manufactured by Mag Instrument Inc. of Ontario, Calif.

The Pumpkin Pack includes flashlight, jack-o’-lantern top, two AAA alkaline batteries and a wrist lanyard. It retails for $9.99 and is available nationwide at mass-merchandise stores, including K mart stores, specialty shops and sporting goods outlets. If you can’t find it in your area, contact Mag Instrument Inc., 1635 S. Sacramento Ave., Box 50-600, Ontario, Calif. 91761; (714) 947-1006.

CuddleUp for Cars

For travelers stuck a lot in their cars, station wagons, vans or recreation vehicles, the Sunbeam CuddleUp Traveler is a heated throw that plugs into a cigarette lighter or a 12-volt battery outlet in an RV.

With a 10-foot cord, it is ideal for keeping the kids toasty if they’re asleep on a long trip, or for truck drivers who might want to nap at the side of the road. The 50-by-60-inch blanket, made of Acrilan acrylic, is machine washable and comes in a plaid design of blue or desert sand.

It also has a feature Sunbeam calls a Personal Monitoring System--three heat settings so you can adjust the temperature to your needs. The system also can regulate heating areas, for example, sending more warmth to your feet if you need it.

Suggested retail for the CuddleUp is $30. In the Los Angeles area, it’s available at Longs and Walgreen’s drugstores, Ace Hardware, Fedco, Target and Service Merchandise. For dealers in other areas, call Northern Electric Co.’s toll-free consumer information number, (800) 323-7303.

Filtering the Noise

Increasing noise levels in your office or home? Consider the Noise Filter, a new earplug. Made of self-adjusting foam so it fits comfortably in most ears, it is non-allergenic and washable for reuse.

Representatives of Noise Filter’s manufacturer, E-A-R Group of Indianapolis, say the little foam plug, which compresses for easy insertion into the ear, can help reduce noise by about “30 decibels. While these noise levels are reduced, important sounds such as voices and music can still be heard.”

A package of filters, including three pairs of the soft ear plugs and a carrying case, retails for $1.79. They are available nationwide, and may be found in Southern California at Longs Drugs, Bergen Brunswig Corp. and Fedco. For other sites, contact E-A-R Group, 5457 W. 79th St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46268; (317) 872-1111.

Cutting the Clutter

If you’re tired of seeing all those bottles of shampoo and conditioner cluttering the shower, check out Dispenser Plus, a handy new liquid soap dispenser for the shower. It’s imported from Italy and comes in one-, two- or four-chamber models.

Available in black, white, gray, beige, green, pink, red or yellow plastic with clear 12-ounce soap compartments, the dispenser measures the same amount each time you use it, so you won’t waste or spill.

Each dispenser has a plate that attaches to a shower or wall with a silicon gel, double-sided tape or mounting screws. All three are included so you can choose which you want to use.

Dispenser Plus costs $25 for the single chamber model; $30 and $40 respectively for the larger models, plus $2 shipping and handling. It is available from Reon, 7486 La Jolla Blvd., Suite 555, La Jolla, Calif. 92037; (800) 776-REON.