Gadget aficionado and MAD Magazine writer Dick DeBartolo visited The National Safety Show in New Orleans – until Hurricane Ivan came along, ironically enough. But here are some of the niftiest gizmos he found at the convention:

1. Cowboy Hardhat: People wear lifejackets more when they’re comfortable and don’t look like life jackets. Now a company is making hardhats that can pass for a decent looking cowboy hat, and it meets hardhat standards! About $25. 

 
2. The Talkin’ First Aid System: What do you do when there’s a first-aid emergency? You grab the kit and wonder what items you’ll need. This new kit is totally organized by type of injury, and each pack has a built-in audio chip affixed. Press a button and the chip narrates step by step instructions to manage the injury, pausing and repeating when necessary. Under $150. Available soon.

 
3. First Alert “talking” CO2 & Smoke Alarm: This alarm has a programmed voice to tell you the location and the type of emergency. A neat feature is that if it’s on the ceiling out of reach, you don’t need a ladder to check to see if the battery is good and the alarm is working. Just wave any TV remote control toward it within 20’ and hold down the volume or channel key. The alarm will give off an “okay” chirp if everything is working okay. Under $50. 

 
4. Fatal Vision Goggles: These goggles are used to demonstrate what your vision might look like if you’re under the influence of alcohol. I’ll let Kevin quickly touch my finger when I raise it. Then he’ll try the same thing with the Fatal Vision Goggles on. It’s more difficult than it appears.

 
5. Pelican VB3: A tiny shirt-pocket-sized LED light that can clip on to a belt or even the brim of a cap. It goes on when you flip it open and you can get about 100 hours of light with just two coin cell batteries. About $12.

 
6. Talking Mona Lisa: She didn’t talk when I was “live” on the air during my last appearance, but she promises to talk now! I got at least 20 emails saying “bring her back, make her talk,” so we are! And she’ll even move her arms! About $15 

Dick DeBartolo is MAD Magazine’s “Maddest Writer.” Don’t forget to go to The Giz Wiz’s website www.gizwizbiz.com and play “What The Heck Is It?” Guess the gadget or make up a cute or clever use for the gadget and win one of a dozen or more autographed MAD Magazines!