Handy Candle Is Long-Lasting and Has Many Uses

Nuwick, a candle in a can that burns for about 120 hours, might prove handy for camping, boating and other recreational uses or for emergencies.

It has six separate, movable wicks that can be used--and reused--whenever needed. If you want a brighter light, add an additional wick. If you want to cook with the candle, use at least two wicks at once, advises its developer, Mary O’Brien of Van Nuys.

The 14-ounce candle comes in a sturdy metal can that won’t tip over. Its wax is a specially formulated, low-temperature, slow-burning, nontoxic paraffin that doesn’t give off smelly fumes. The candle comes with a tweezer to move wicks safely; there’s also a pack of safety matches included. The 4-inch diameter candle, O’Brien says, will burn 120 hours with a single flame; less with multiple wick use.

Suggested retail price for Nuwick is $9.95. It is available nationwide in drug, sporting good and camping stores. In Southern California, it’s sold at Super Drugs in Westwood, the Outdoorsman in Lancaster, Surplus Store on Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles, REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) in Carson and Orange. If you can’t find it in your area, contact Nuwick Inc., P.O. Box 7962, Van Nuys, Calif. 91409; phone, (213) 396-3135 or (800) 347-WICKS.

Help for Lockouts Comes in Plastic

Res-Q-Key can save you time and money if you lock yourself out of your car or home. It’s a key blank made of heavy plastic and can be cut on any standard key-making machine, then kept in a purse or wallet for emergencies.

Because one-in-five of us lock ourselves out of our cars or homes every year, Res-Q-Key “was developed for just that reason,” says Res-Q-Key manufacturer Dick Bradshaw of El Toro.

Res-Q-Key blanks are available for most home locks and units on domestic and most imported cars. There are two in a credit-card-sized plastic form. They snap in and out for convenient use; the plastic form fits neatly into an included card-carrying case.

To order, for $5, including shipping and handling, contact Res-Q-Key, 23591 El Toro Road, Suite 160, El Toro, Calif. 92630; phone, (714) 588-9604. Be sure to specify the key type--GM, Toyota, Nissan, for instance, for cars--or include a drawing of your house key.

Holder Can Lend a Hand With Shoe Care

Tired of getting your hands dirty while polishing, dyeing or tinting your shoes? Consider the Ezy Dye Shoe Holder.

The plastic form with handle atop fits into women’s shoes, sizes 4 to 10. You also can use the holder to help shoes keep shape if they’ve gotten wet, said inventor George Braverman.

A pair of Ezy Dye holders (plus wall brackets) cost $9.95, including shipping and handling. They can be ordered from Mollie & Me Associates, Box 5329, North Hollywood, Calif. 91606; phone, (213) 873-4698.