Let me declare a vested interest - my business partner and I invented FlareSafe. However we figured that as it has now launched in the United Kingdom, but has not been seen on your site, we would let you know about it.

After a hostel fire in 2000 in Australia in which 15 backpackers died, we felt travellers should be able to take a portable smoke detector with them - so that in the event the hotel/hostel doesn't have fire systems, you would still be in control with your own.

For the record, we also added the functions of an SOS/distress alarm and an LED torch.

Although we can claim credit for the concept, the clever design stuff was done by others far smarter than ourselves. Suffice to say, the optical smoke detector (note, NOT a radioactive/ionizing unit) has passed the UK fire and smoke detection tests (and a bunch of other tests too), the distress alarm is a minimum of 110dBA, and the LED torch uses four Nichia 5mm white LEDs that combine with a step-up transformer to put out a powerful beam.

Now, I don't want to put you all to sleep with too much product info, but if you have read this far, then you must be somewhat interested. So, here goes with a bit more explanation of how FlareSafe works.

In the event of a fire (and provided you have armed the smoke detector before you went to sleep), FlareSafe's piercing alarm will wake you and at the same time, the torch will switch on to full beam to allow you to grab the unit and get out fast.

Activating the distress alarm means the piercing sounder goes off, AND the torch starts flashing - providing a visible and audible alert. Useful if you are attacked while walking down a beach at night.

And of course the LED torch is powerful, and being comprised of Nichia LEDs, it will likely outlast all of us.

There's plenty more information about FlareSafe at our website www.flarebrands.com - including a description of the advanced software - so feel free to pop along and check it out.

Oh yes, and I have attached a picture of it for you to see - size-wise it is just 15cm long and 4.5cm wide. And it comes supplied with batteries (one of them a back-up lithium battery). All that in military-grade plastics and a three-year guarantee for just £49.95 (around USD $95.00).

To our minds, it is well worth it for the life (yours and others) it could one day save. Now, let's please hear your thoughts...

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That is a really good idea and I'll cover it on the main site later today.

One suggestion, would it be possible to incorporate a carbon monoxide detector, with recent tragedies that could also of saved lifes.

Hi Al,

Thanks for the comment. In answer to your question, there is physically no room inside FlareSafe for anything more (such as the CO detector you suggested).

However many people have contacted us in the past few months regarding this, and we are looking at the practicalities of developing a separate CO detector.

As a small business, the cost of development of any product is a significant barrier for us, but if and when FlareSafe is a commercial success, then we will get stuck into follow-up products. And a CO detector is a distinct possibility.

Regards,
Rob

I've posted about it over at http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070...r-backpackers/

Out of interest is FlareSafe your only business or is it a sideline to other things that you do.

As I expressed in the post on the site I really love gadgets like this and it has got me thinking. Traditional holiday makers (pool and sun seekers) probably wouldn't be interested in the torch but a portable smoke/carbon monoxide alarm would certainly be handy which got me thinking what do holiday makers take with them. The object the sprung to mind was a travel radio alarm clock, what do you think?

That is quite a good stuff for people who do a lot of travelling around by air

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It's a great idea and well implemented too - they've really thought this through and it shows. Could, quite literally, be a lifesaver. (All it needs now is an emergency inflatable tent that pops out the back).

In the same vein, this folding tripod instant campfire is also a great idea, unfortunately it's only a concept at the moment. Very cool.

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Warm Regards,

Andrew

Thoughts from the Sidelines

Yeah I saw that camp fire when it did the rounds a couple of weeks back, a nice looking bit of kit but whether it will make it off the design board I don't know.