With the arrival warmer weather comes Prom Season and with Prom Season comes the desire of some students to drink before, during, and after the dance. Now unless the students failed a few grades, they probably have not reached the age of 21 and that makes their consumption of alcohol… illegal.
Parents, chaperones and even students getting a ride w/ other students need a tool they can use to quickly and accurately test whether or not a person has consumed alcohol.
While alcohol detection meters like the AlcoHAWK SLIM Digital Alchol Detector has a modest cost of around $70 and ten of the AlcoHAWK SLIM single-use mouthpieces cost just $7, the initial cost of ownership rings in at around eighty bucks and for some school and parents, that’s $80 more than they want to spend.
Thankfully science has come up with more affordable alternatives that get the job done and don’t break the bank:
Underage drinking on Prom Night will not go away on its own. It will take the diligent efforts of, and cooperation between, school organizers and parents. Spot testing drivers and/or students acting suspiciously might just save a life that night… or keep someone from spending the rest of their in jail cell, or worse yet, in a coma.
As the ground starts to thaw out in parts of the country and building crews begin to wake up from their Winter Slumber. Drawing boards fill up again with blueprints for new projects and soon the call for good, properly aged lumber will go out.
When that call goes out, lumber yards far and near will fill up with men and women eager to fill up their pickup trucks and flatbeds with wood boards, planks and studs… that don’t contain too much moisture. To ensure that last part, the smart shoppers will use moisture meters like the GE Protimeter Timbermaster test kit which automatically compensates for temperature and comes pre-programmed w/ 150 different types of wood.
Available through TestProducts.Com, the GE Protimeter Timbermaster w/ External Temperature Probe makes choosing the best wood for the job a whole lot simpler!
Specifications & Features:
- Detection Range: 7 to 99.9%
- Resolution: 0.1%
- Accuracy: ±1% at 68° F
- Large LCD Display Screen
- 150 Built-in Wood Calibration Scales
- Automatic Temperature Correction
- Works w/ Optional Hammer Electrode for Sub-Surface Measurements
- Weight: .330 lbs. (without batteries)
- Dimensions: 7.02″ x 1.09″ x 1.91″
- Power: Comes w/ (2) two “AA” alkaline batteries
- Comes w/ (2) two 1″ replacement pin needles
- Warranty: One year parts and labor warranty
Click here for more information about the GE Protimeter Timbermaster.
Many people know that a diamond will cut, scratch or otherwise mark the surface of any other naturally occurring substance on our planet because of its hardness. Many people do not, however, have any idea how to measure a material’s hardness in an absolute sense and can only compare the hardnesses of two materials against each other.
For folks who want to determine the hardness of a material in a more quantitative sense, a meter definitely comes in handy.
Digital Hardness Meter Specifications:
- Hardness parameter HL, HRC, HRB, HV, HB, HS
- Battery life: 16 hours continuous
- Auto Power Off: 2 Minutes non use
- Display functions: Hardness scale, hardness value, average indicator and average value, impact direction, type of impact device connected, memory reference
- Accuracy: Within ± 0.5% (or HLD=800)
- Memory: 1250 groups
- Overall dimensions: 6.2″ x 1.6″ x 1″ (158 x 41 x 26mm)
- Weight: 4.2 oz (120 g)
- Conforming to ASTM A956
Testing for… darkness? Huh? Why would someone do THAT?!?
Exactly our point. Few people really have a need to test for darkness. Most people do, however, have a need to test for light — especially people interested in taking the perfect picture, shooting the perfect video, or setting up a room in their home with perfect lighting.
| 4-in-1 Anemometer, Thermometer, Hygrometer & Light Meter (LM-8000) w/Lanyard |
LM-8000 |
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| 4-in-1 LUX & Sound Meter (V-DVM401) with Temperature & Humidity |
DVM401 |
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| Light Meter: Digital 0 to 20,000 LUX (DLM1337) with Remote Light Sensor & Carrying Case |
DLM1337 |
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| Light Meter: Digital 0 to 20,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM2000) w/Remote Sensor |
DLM2000 |
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| Light Meter: Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM105HA) with Remote Sensor & RS-232 PC Interface |
DLM105HA |
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| Light Meter: Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX in 3 Ranges (DLM2b) Built-In Zero Calibration |
DLM2b |
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| Light Meter: Digital 20 to 200,000 LUX (DLM203DL) with RS-232 PC Interface, Cable, Software & Data-Logger |
DLM203DL |
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| Light Meter: Digital 200 to 200,000 LUX in 4 Ranges (DLM204) w/Built-in Sensor |
DLM204 |
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| Light Meter: Economy Digital 0 to 50,000 LUX (V-DVM1300) with Remote Probe on 36″ Coiled Lead, Protective Cap & Faux Leather Zippered Case |
DVM1300 |
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| Personal UV Index Monitor & Exposure Alarm (DW-75488) Temperature, UV & Time |
DW-75488 |
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| Personal UV Index Monitor & Exposure Timer (UV112) Displays Temperature, UV Index & Time |
UV112 |
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| Solar Power Meter: Digital 2000 W/m2, 634 BTU (DBTU1300) with Batteries & Belt Pouch |
DBTU1300 |
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| Ultra-Violet Light Meter: 220~275nm, UVC to 9999µW/cm2 (UV512C) with Case |
UV512C |
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| Ultra-Violet Light Meter: 254~400nm, UV AB to 1999 µW/cm2 (UV513AB) with Case |
UV513AB |
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| Ultra-Violet Light Meter: Radiometer 254nm, 0-199.9 µW/cm2 (UVC254) with Remote Sensor |
UVC254 |
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| Ultra-Violet Light Meter: UVA/UVB 290-390nm, 0-19999 µW/cm2 (UV340A) with Sensor |
UV340A |
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| Ultra-Violet Light Meter: UVA/UVB 290-390nm, 0.001-19.99 mW/cm2 (YK-35UV) w/Sensor |
YK-35UV |
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And sometimes, when things don’t exactly work out as we plan, and darkness finds its way into our world due to unforeseen events, having the following device installed in our home or office will give us temporary light for a while until the power comes back on.
In the event that the power will take longer to come back on than you would like, perhaps you might need… a flashlight?
Next we have an interesting question from Jan, a jogger planning to move to the South…
“Once again my family is moving because of my husband’s career in the military. This time he’s getting stationed at a base in South Carolina. This will be my first time ever living in the South and all my friends tell me I’m going to DIE in the Summer when I go for my daily jog. They say the ‘heat index’ is going to wipe me out. Can you tell me what that is and how I can measure it? Thank you. Jan.”
Your friends have obviously have your best interest at heart, Jan. The South has extremely hot temperatures in the Summer and packs an extra punch with its brutal humidity levels. Most people working outdoors or exercising outdoors in the Summer down here know to keep themselves hydrated and watch for signs of heat exhaustion.
With regard to your question about ‘heat index’,
“The heat index (HI) is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels, termed the felt air temperature. The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating, which evaporates and carries heat away from the body. However, when the relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is reduced, so heat is removed from the body at a lower rate causing it to retain more heat than it would in dry air.” ( source )
In a nutshell, heat index refers to what temperature a person’s body THINKS it is because of the actual temperature AND relative humidity. Therefore to measure heat index, one must accurately measure both temperature and humidity.
With both numbers in hand, one can look up the heat index on the appropriate chart… like the one below:
| HEAT INDEX °F (°C) |
| |
RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) |
| Temp. |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
60 |
65 |
70 |
75 |
80 |
85 |
90 |
95 |
100 |
110
(47) |
136
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 108
(43) |
130
(54) |
137
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106
(41) |
124
(51) |
130
(54) |
137
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104
(40) |
119
(48) |
124
(51) |
131
(55) |
137
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 102
(39) |
114
(46) |
119
(48) |
124
(51) |
130
(54) |
137
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
(38) |
109
(43) |
114
(46) |
118
(48) |
124
(51) |
129
(54) |
136
(58) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98
(37) |
105
(41) |
109
(43) |
113
(45) |
117
(47) |
123
(51) |
128
(53) |
134
(57) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 96
(36) |
101
(38) |
104
(40) |
108
(42) |
112
(44) |
116
(47) |
121
(49) |
126
(52) |
132
(56) |
|
|
|
|
|
94
(34) |
97
(36) |
100
(38) |
103
(39) |
106
(41) |
110
(43) |
114
(46) |
119
(48) |
124
(51) |
129
(54) |
135
(57) |
|
|
|
| 92
(33) |
94
(34) |
96
(36) |
99
(37) |
101
(38) |
105
(41) |
108
(42) |
112
(44) |
116
(47) |
121
(49) |
126
(52) |
131
(55) |
|
|
90
(32) |
91
(33) |
93
(34) |
95
(35) |
97
(36) |
100
(38) |
103
(39) |
106
(41) |
109
(43) |
113
(45) |
117
(47) |
122
(50) |
127
(53) |
132
(56) |
88
(31) |
88
(31) |
89
(32) |
91
(33) |
93
(34) |
95
(35) |
98
(37) |
100
(38) |
103
(39) |
106
(41) |
110
(43) |
113
(45) |
117
(47) |
121
(49) |
86
(30) |
85
(29) |
87
(31) |
88
(31) |
89
(32) |
91
(33) |
93
(34) |
95
(35) |
97
(36) |
100
(38) |
102
(39) |
105
(41) |
108
(42) |
112
(44) |
84
(29) |
83
(28) |
84
(29) |
85
(29) |
86
(30) |
88
(31) |
89
(32) |
90
(32) |
92
(33) |
94
(34) |
96
(36) |
98
(37) |
100
(38) |
103
(39) |
82
(28) |
81
(27) |
82
(28) |
83
(28) |
84
(29) |
84
(29) |
85
(29) |
86
(30) |
88
(31) |
89
(32) |
90
(32) |
91
(33) |
93
(34) |
95
(35) |
80
(27) |
80
(27) |
80
(27) |
81
(27) |
81
(27) |
82
(28) |
82
(28) |
83
(28) |
84
(29) |
84
(29) |
85
(29) |
86
(30) |
86
(30) |
87
(31) |
The Heat Index Table Above Came From… HERE
For those times when you just can’t get to a computer, though, you can always use a Heat Index Monitor which will measure the temperature and humidity for you and then calculate the heat index — with the push of a button.
This next question through us for a loop. We actually had to go and watch an episode (or 12) of one of those ghost hunter type shows to figure out how best to answer the following question:
“Not sure if you can help, but my wife and I think we need to test for ghosts in the attic of a house we just bought. Things keep getting knocked over in the middle of the night and we hear other ‘weird’ sounds coming from up there. At first we thought rats or bats, but the exterminator guy told us no… so we think we must have ghosts. It IS a really old house we bought… So can you tell us what equipment to buy? Hope you can help!”
Now can you see why we had to think first before we answered? Wow. Just… Wow.
So anyways, after spending a full afternoon watching one of those ghost hunting shows — strictly for research purposes, of course — we determined that ghosts apparently generate some sort of electromagnetic field and make rooms get really cold, really fast.
Therefore we figure you will need an EMF Meter and sort of Infrared Thermometer that will allow you to scan the average temperature over an area.
Conveniently for you, the lucky owners of a potentially haunted house, someone must have already pondered the same question as you because you can pick up something called the Paranormal Kit which contains both of the meters mentioned above.
Happy Hunting!
Steve from Illinois wrote in and asked,
“Hey, I don’t know if you guys really answer anyone, but I’ll ask anyways. My friends and I want to make ourselves a kegerator for the basement bar and those pre-made ones won’t do what we want, which is keep our mugs cold, too — and keep the Jagermeister ice cold for shots. We figure a full-size fridge and one of those CO2 tap kits will work better… but we don’t wanna’ buy some old klunker, get everything all set up, and then find out the damn thing’s got a leak. Do they make a meter for that sort of thing?”
First off, Steve, we appreciate your love of cold beer mugs and ice cold Jager. Seriously. We do.
With regard to meters for refrigerant leaks, check out the meters below:
As the cold air continues to hang around this Winter and we keep the fires burning in the fireplaces and stoves that we need to make sure all vents and chimneys contain no blockages. Why? Because carbon monoxide kills people every year as a result of blocked vents and chimneys.
How Does Carbon Monoxide Kill?
Quite simply, the hemoglobin in our blood which normally carries oxygen to the cells in our bodies becomes the target of carbon monoxide when the two come in contact with one another. The carbon monoxide latches on to hemoglobin molecules and displaces oxygen molecules when it does so.
Exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide result in symptoms which people often mistake for the flu or other common Wintertime illnesses.
Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide results in the displacing of ALL oxygen molecules and that means ZERO oxygen reaches the cells… and that causes cell death in a matter of minutes. When enough cells die, so does the host (person).
How Do I Know If I Have Carbon Monoxide Gas?
Like all effective killers, carbon monoxide creeps up on its victims undetected. It has no odor, no color and the human eye cannot see it. Only a carbon monoxide detector will let you know if it has made its way into your environment.
Below you will find carbon monoxide detectors and products designed to help you test carbon monoxide detectors:
In a recent newsletter we learned that National Safety Products, the company responsible for TestProducts.Com, added new devices for conducting various electrical tests to their online offerings:
In recognition of radon’s serious and sometimes deadly nature, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has deemed January “National Radon Action Month”
Unclear about radon and what it can do to you and your family? Try this information on for size:
Radon — the naturally occurring, odorless, colorless gas that is produced when uranium breaks down in soil, rock or water — also is deadly.
After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries. A World Health Organization report in September 2009 estimated that the number of deaths due to radon-induced lung cancer in the United States ranged from 15,400 to 21,800 a year.
A group called the Environmental Health Committee recently put those figures into rather startling context: Radon caused more deaths in the United States last year than drunken driving, fires and carbon monoxide combined. ( source )
So… how can you acquire a Home Radon Test Kit? Simple: The links below will take you to the National Safety Products web site which has a good selection of test kits designed to pick up traces of radon in air AND in water.
