Do you spend a lot of time thinking about what would happen if someone broke into your house? A friend of mine is constantly preparing for the zombie apocalypse, and while I think that’s a valiant effort, it’s probably a bit more realistic to shield yourself from potential burglars. There are so many vulnerable areas in your home that it can be a bit daunting to protect yourself at every possible angle, but you can make sure that your most precious valuables stay safe.
The key to making your home burglar-proof is of course a good offense like deadbolts and a security system, but what if they manage to get past those? You’d better arm yourself with a baseball bat and your favorite items with the Combination Lock Book Safe (Things You Never Knew Existed, $24.98). Sure, this book makes you look like a dictionary enthusiast, but it also protects your valuables with a secret safe compartment! This fake dictionary features a built-in steel box that is apparently large enough to store a handgun (if you were so inclined) and is protected by a 3-digit combination lock. Since most burglars are on a time clock, you’ll probably be able to fool them by storing your goodies in this cleverly disguised safe.
Unfortunately, you’ll be sacrificing the actual dictionary in favor of storing your stuff. Tough break.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 2.75″ x 8″ x 9.5″ (inside)
- -Hide goods in plain sight
- -Built in steel box
- -3 digit combination lock
My kitchen utensils are so boring. I mean, I have more than enough gadgets to get by, but they’re just not any fun. Wouldn’t you rather use a peeler that looks like a beehive hairdo than that generic one you got from the dollar store? My thoughts exactly.
Sure, I could buy a trillion basic toothpicks, but where’s the fun in that? Also, they’re disposable so you’re pretty much committing yourself to killing the Earth. If you’re a friend of Mother Nature’s and/or a geek, then you’ll appreciate the Foodfighters Party Picks (ThinkGeek, $9.99) as an exciting alternative to banal kitchen accessories. The set comes with twelve army men, six green and six grey, in a variety of poses with two toothpick feet attached to the bottom of each one. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy concocting elaborate battle scenes with your food!
May the best man win!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Set of 12 army men toothpicks
- -Includes 6 green and 6 grey
- -Handwash recommended
- -Made of plastic
Have you ever been mugged? These days, it seems like there’s so much temptation for street thieves that has nothing to do with the few dollars you have in your wallet. Who cares about a couple bucks when you could be walking around with a shiny new watch on your wrist or listening to some tunes on a brand new iPod? It would certainly suck to lose those materialistic things, but it would be even worse to have information stolen. Photos and documents are a goldmine!
They always say to just give a mugger what he wants, but what if he doesn’t know what to look for? The USB Locket (Generate Design, $229.00) looks like a generic piece of jewelry but actually encases a small flash drive. So instead of carrying your secrets around on a flash drive tucked into your purse or computer bag, why not put it where it would really be safe: around your neck. The locket comes in a standard size or mini and both styles include the 2GB flash drive that fits perfectly inside.
If your lovely lady is a techie nerd, then this is the perfect gift to completely geek her out.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 0.5″ (regular); 1.5″ x 1″ x 0.5″ (mini)
-Length: 30″ (regular); 24″ (mini)
-Capacity: 2GB flash drive
-Includes locket and flash drive
-Brass chain
-Locket made of satin gold plated brass
I try to be responsible and keep all my important documents in one place so that in case there’s some sort of emergency like an earthquake or hurricane, I’ll be prepared. That being said, my most important bits of information aren’t exactly safe in terms of theft. Gee, I wonder if someone could steal my identity if they had my passport and every other bit of residential proof they need to become me on paper? Well, the joke’s on them because I’m gonna start locking that shit up.
You can stick all the important documents you like in a fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box at the bank, but nothing is as securely portable as the Mobi Safe (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $13.95). Just large enough to protect the essentials, this safe comes complete with a 4-digit combination lock and a vinyl coated aircraft steel cable. So you could even tether this safe to your wrist if you felt that such a drastic action was necessary. Personally, the combo lock is enough peace of mind for me.
Why trust a sketchy hotel safe when you can lock up your cash in this thing instead?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Portable safe
-Holds small objects like phone and cash
-4 digit Combination lock
-Vinyl coated aircraft steel cable
I have a friend who is a serious watch collector. It doesn’t matter how many watches he already owns, he’s always on the lookout for something newer, something better to put on his wrist. I’m actually sort of surprised that he doesn’t have a whole “days of the week” situation going on with his watches (or maybe he does and I just don’t know about it).
If you want the latest and greatest in time-telling technology, then the Faceless Watch (Hammacher Schlemmer, $129.95) is a perfect match for you. What looks like an ordinary watch band is actually a digital watch with a built-in liquid crystal display. The display is made up of four disguised LCDs that can only be seen when the time is illuminated by pressing a button the side of the band. Once the button is pressed, the time can be seen in glowing red numbers, hours on top and minutes on bottom. The press of another button on the band allows the user to switch between time and date, with the month illuminated on top and the day on bottom.
Check out the look on your dad’s face when you give him this technological wonder for Father’s Day. He’ll be the coolest dad on the block!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Fits wrists up to 7.25 in circumference
-Liquid crystal display built into the band
-Four LCDs illuminate time
-Press button to illuminate time
-Press button to switch from time to date
-Stainless steel links
-Includes two additional 1/2″ W links
-Links to be adjusted by a professional
