We’re heading into a dangerous fire season due to a dry winter and excessive heat. The fire department doesn’t have the manpower to save every home – especially in areas where homes are on several acres, like where I live – and inmate and volunteer crews are smaller due to COVID-shut downs last year. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about F.A.C.E. (Fire Activated Canister Extinguisher).
One of my students, Arul Mathur, designed and engineered this device to put out fires with water and fire retardant when activated by fire. So if a fire approaches your home, F.A.C.E. will douse it out, even when you’re not home. It’s ideal for people who have to evacuate. They can leave their homes knowing that the canister will spray a 10-15 foot area.
Check out his website.
He just launched a kickstarter campaign on July 1st, where you can order canisters at a discount and have them by September. He reached his kickstarter goal in just over 12 hours! He plans to use his profits to donate F.A.C.E. to create fire breaks throughout California. Proud of Arul.
I love it when kids solve problems we face. Arul lives up in the East Bay Area and almost lost his home during the Paradise fires. After surviving years of fire threats, he designed this device to protect his family and his home. Arul also gave a TEDx talk at TEDxMeritAcademy in 2019.
We’re heading into a dangerous fire season due to a dry winter and excessive heat. The fire department doesn’t have the manpower to save every home – especially in areas where homes are on several acres, like where I live – and inmate and volunteer crews are smaller due to COVID-shut downs last year. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about F.A.C.E. (Fire Activated Canister Extinguisher).
One of my students, Arul Mathur, designed and engineered this device to put out fires with water and fire retardant when activated by fire. So if a fire approaches your home, F.A.C.E. will douse it out, even when you’re not home. It’s ideal for people who have to evacuate. They can leave their homes knowing that the canister will spray a 10-15 foot area.
Check out his website.
He just launched a kickstarter campaign on July 1st, where you can order canisters at a discount and have them by September. He reached his kickstarter goal in just over 12 hours! He plans to use his profits to donate F.A.C.E. to create fire breaks throughout California. Proud of Arul.
I love it when kids solve problems we face. Arul lives up in the East Bay Area and almost lost his home during the Paradise fires. After surviving years of fire threats, he designed this device to protect his family and his home. Arul also gave a TEDx talk at TEDxMeritAcademy in 2019.
My friend Tim Niemier, creator of the Ocean Kayak, has just launched his Origami Paddler on Kickstarter. This paddleboard is a brilliant design – folds in thirds for easy storage and transportation! The paddle actually fits inside the folded paddleboard too!
I have 2 of his Origami Paddlers and took them to Shasta on a houseboating family vacation a few years ago. Everyone loved it! Tim is making these paddleboards using 100% recycled plastic – so I am helping divert plastic waste from the landfill while getting some exercise!
This Origami Paddler is also a kayak! It’s just like his sit-on-top kayaks that he invented and designed back in the ‘70s. I have his Malibu Two kayaks, but rarely take them out because they’re huge and heavy. Now this Origami Paddler is both a kayak and paddleboard — and they fold so they fit in my trunk. Wow!
It retails for over $500, but on Kickstarter you can get it for as little as $279.
I’m getting 2 more so my whole family can go out together! It’s a great way to get exercise, be with others (more than 6 feet apart), and get some sun! Tim started his Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000 28 days ago, and today, he’s raised over $400,000! Looks like his Origami Paddler will be as successful as his Ocean Kayaks!