Today's Consumer: News you can use

TINY LIGHTS ARE LIFESAVERS IN SOME HOMES

There was a time when the only reasonably priced night lights simply were holders for a single Christmas tree-type bulb with a swivel shade. Now tiny, affordable night lights are everywhere -- an increasing number with cartoon character motifs or other cute features.

Many charge up all day and then turn on at night. In addition, they can be pulled from the wall and used as a flashlight in case of a power outage.

With the development of longer-lasting batteries and LED bulbs that draw less current, many of these lights now are portable and do not need electrical outlets to operate. Hence, they can be put nearly anywhere. You've seen many merchandised on late-night TV and on radio.

Additionally, the new generation of X-10 and other remote-control protocols for homes means these lights can be turned on and off randomly, giving your home a lived-in look, even while you're gone.

Merchandised by smarthome.com, Radio Shack, Wal-Mart and others, the lights come in a huge array of sizes, types and colors.

Night lights for aging parents or grandparents give an added degree of safety to their homes for the holidays.

POPULAR TRAVEL BROKER HYPES CRUISES

The newest of the online travel brokers, hotwire.com, has added a slew of specials to its sales lineup in the category of cruises and warm weather vacations. The company tells United Press International one of the country's least-discovered vacation spots is a port of call for a major company's Gulf and Caribbean cruises -- Key West, Fla., and the Florida Keys.

During the cold weather up north, five-night excursions featuring a stop at the continental southernmost city start at $329. Luxury week-long trips to Alaska from West Coast ports are in the $700 range.

All this renewed interest in cruises comes in the wake of a recent spate of outbreaks of the Norwalk virus in three separate incidents involving liners calling at American ports. Investigations continue into these trip-ruining medical outbreaks.

The major cruise lines continue to be a popular cold weather destination. For the full gamut of cruises, go to your favorite online broker -- hotwire.com, orbitz.com, priceline.com and others -- and check out the fares.

To deal with the lines directly, use a search engine and type in "cruise ships" and a full list should pop up.