Turboflare By Art Nadler Everyone has at one time in their life been driving along a lonely stretch of highway at night and wondered what would happen if suddenly a tire blew, or the engine conked out. How would you summon help, attract attention - out there in the dark - all alone? SOS-Turboflare, a new product of Lighting and Electronic Design Inc. of Henderson, NV., can be your savior.

No bigger than a Belgian waffle, the iridescent orange star-like device emits pulsating multicolored LED flashing lights, capable of being detected 30 miles from the air. Constructed from tough Dupont Surlyn, the same material which golf balls are made, the Turboflare comes in either a battery-powered model (retailing at $59.95), or as a rechargeable three- to eight-stack system selling for $330 to $1,000. The rechargeable models are currently in use by some 300 police agencies nationwide, says Doug Beekman, international sales manager for the company. Also, the rechargeable model Turboflare is being used by the Boulder City, NV., police and fire departments and the Las Vegas Metropolitan police department, Beekman says. Turboflare takes the place of the traditional hazardous and pollution producing road flares, Beekman explains. Janie Lynn, owner of Lighting and Electronic Design Inc., and her LED team invented the device. It took her two years to develop and produce the one-pound safety device. "I knew it was going to be a winner," Lynn says brandishing a broad smile. "The excitement this product caused from the beginning was amazing." Lynn says the company did $8 million in 1999 and expects to do at least $10 million in 2000. She especially sees the battery model becoming a winner with consumers. She foresees backpackers taking the Turboflare with them into the mountains, and even homeowners will use them as 911 assistance tools at night. The battery powered model runs on four "C" cell batteries and will last up to 135 hours, Beekman says. Lynn formed Lighting and Electronic Design nine years ago to make low-voltage and specialty lighting products. These included decorative lighting for casinos, theaters and passenger train aisles. The Henderson factory currently employs 30 people and is located in a 20,000 square-foot facility. For information, contact: Lighting and Electronic Design Inc., 141 Cassia Way, Unit C, Henderson, NV. 89014. Phone: 1-800-700-5483, or (702) 568-8742. Fax: (702) 568-8753. The company web sites are: www.sosturboflare.com, www.ledlinc.com and www.turbo-flare.com.