Lights keep shining
Energizer has a new line of home and emergency lights that keep shining when the power goes out.
Each light has an LED light stick powered by rechargeable batteries. Most have a charging base that plugs into the wall, so the light stick defaults to battery power when the electricity is interrupted. A couple are cordless lights.
The removable light stick can serve as either an area light or a flashlight when the power goes out. In a prolonged outage, regular alkaline batteries can be used if rechargeable batteries die.
The line includes five plug-in lights: a desk light, a tabletop nightlight, a nightlight that plugs directly into the wall plate and two types of emergency light sets. Two cordless fixtures — a motion light and a wall sconce — are also available.
The lights are expected to be available at Target starting this month and at several other major retailers in late spring or early summer. Prices range from $24.99 for each of the night lights to $69.99 for the All-in-One Light Center with four emergency lights. Replacement light sticks have a suggested price of $14.99 or $19.99.
Natural stone cleaner
Formula 409 is celebrating its 50th year this year. It also came out with a new natural stone cleaner that can be used on granite, marble, travertine, slate and other natural stone surfaces. The product is not acidic or abrasive, is ammonia-free and has a lemon scent. Cost is $2.98.
Re-key your lock
Typically, when you need a lock re-keyed for security or convenience, you call a locksmith. Kwikset’s new SmartKey lock lets you do the job yourself.
A SmartKey lock can be re-keyed in three steps that take fewer than 30 seconds, without removing the lock from the door. Re-keying lets you change a lock so a lost, stolen or loaned key will no longer open it, or it lets you configure multiple locks so they can all be operated with the same key.
The locks were introduced at the 2008 International Builders’ Show in Orlando and will be available at major home improvement retailers. Prices range from about $30 to $200.
Leave a note on fridge
Chances are your refrigerator already doubles as the family memo center. Now it can be a dry-erase board, too.
Amana’s new Jot refrigerator has a dry-erase finish on the front, so you can write down your grocery list or dash off a note to your kid, right on the door.
The 17.6-cubic-foot, top-freezer Jot has rounded edges and corners for a contemporary look. The dry-erase style comes only in white. The Jot has a suggested retail price of $549 and is available at appliance dealers across the United States. To find a retailer near you, visit amana.com.
