Innovative Snow Tires, Survival Kits for Kids
Car and kid products topped the Best of 1993 list, rounded out by thermal dishes, a spray-on cleaner for silk flowers and a flower pot safe for valuables:
* Blizzak, Bridgestone’s new studless snow tire, is one of the year’s most innovative products. It is made of a pitted multi-cell rubber compound to enhance the gripping capability of the tire in ice and snow. After the surface wears down--in about three snow seasons--a second compound underneath turns the Blizzak into an all-season tire. Blizzaks ($65-$120 each) will fit 13- to 16-inch wheels on most cars. You can find them at Bridgestone dealers, 4 Day Tire Stores or order from the Tire Rack in South Bend, Ind., (800) 428-8355.
* The Emergency Ready V-belt serves as a reusable replacement for belts on fans, water pumps, alternators and power steering on cars, vans, RVs and boats. The five-foot orange polyurethane belt can be adjusted to any length with snap-together pieces. It’s $19.99 plus $5 shipping and handling from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories, 205 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211. In California, call (310) 657-4800; out of state, (800)-421-4513.
* Tiny Tiger Booster Cables are about half the diameter of regular jumper cables, but just as effective. Ten feet in length, Tiny Tigers are made of high-tech wire. Small clamps make them easy to use in compact engines. They’re Underwriters Laboratory-rated up to 600 volts and come in a storage pouch that fits in a glove compartment. $29.95 plus $6 shipping and handling at Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories.
* A mist-and-wipe cleanup with Quik Detailer will give your car a just-waxed look in about 15 minutes. It’s by Meguiar’s, an Irvine company that’s been making waxes and polishes since 1901. A 16-ounce bottle ($4.95) will detail a regular-size car five to six times. It is available at Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, Pep Boys and Trak Auto.
* Komfort Kit Jr. is an emergency/survival kit for children that includes water packs, a blanket, ID card, moist towelettes and freeze-dried fun food--pizza, yogurt, French fries, ice cream sandwiches. Made of sturdy cardboard, the kit includes a plastic bag for medicine and an emergency information card. There’s also room for a small toy and sweat shirt. Komfort Kit Jr. ($13.95) can be ordered from Red Suspenders, P.O. Box 1985, Lomita 90717; (310) 325-0059 or (800) 308-5437. It’s also carried by REI stores, at 10 California Fedco locations and selected drug stores.
* BAD (Bicycle Anti-Theft Device) BONES makes it harder for bike thieves to break a common bicycle U-lock. Bright red in color, BAD BONES’ two steel bars block the open space in the U-lock where thieves insert tools to pop it off. The bars are available nationwide in bike shops at $10 a pair. There is also a B.A.D. Pack--a U-lock packaged with the bars--for $32. If you can’t find them in your area, call Integrated Cycle Systems at (800) 597-2663.
* Bami Floatems will keep children afloat, whether or not they can swim. Designed for 2- to 7-year-olds, the neon pink or lime-green nylon-covered floatation devices are difficult to puncture and don’t deflate because they’re made of the hard foam used in many life vests. Floatems ($12.99 to $14.99) are available at Wal-Mart, Fedco, Sportmart, Oshman’s, Big 5 and Sport Chalet.
* Cooks give Tempreserve foam insulated casseroles and bowls a solid 10 for keeping food hot or cold up to four hours. Introduced by Aladdin Industries, a Nashville maker of other thermal products, the dishes have snap-on covers to keep food from spilling. The one-quart bowl retails for $3.99 to $4.99; two-quart, $4.99 to $5.99; server for 9-by-13 casserole dishes, $14.99 to $16.99. They’re available at Wal-Mart or by calling Aladdin’s consumer information number, (800) 456-1233.
* Simply Silk removes dust and dirt from artificial flowers and plants without wiping the leaves. Even a dirty plant will look nearly new in a few minutes. Simply Silk is organic and biodegradable, doesn’t stain or leave oily residues and has no unpleasant odor. It’s available at Price/Costco at $9.95 for a two-quart twin pack. Or it can be ordered from Botanical Science, 3421 Fordham Ave., Santa Ana, 92704; (714) 432-7771. By mail, one quart is $6.25 plus shipping; the twin pack is $13.
* Flower Pot Safe is the latest item in California Safe Co.’s imaginative line of safes that look like containers for soda, furniture polish, soup and popcorn. This 10-inch plastic pot can be used indoors or out. The water tray unscrews to reveal a storage compartment for valuables. Flower Pot Safe ($24.95) is available nationwide in selected department, gift and luggage stores. Or order from California Safe at (818) 902-1490 or (800) 451-9733.
