Fight the flu with cool gadgets

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Fight the flu with cool gadgets

03:43 PM CST on Tuesday, January 8, 2008

By LISA MARTIN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Here's a roundup of items that might help you keep germs at bay this

season.

TOOTHBRUSH SANITIZER

Dentists recommend that you discard a toothbrush after a bout with the

flu because the germs linger. Or you can try the VIOlight Toothbrush

Sanitizer & Storage System, which uses UV rays to eliminate germs and

bacteria. It takes 10 minutes to sanitize a toothbrush and works on

electric models, too. $50 at Target and The Container Store. Also

available in travel size.

WARM MIST HUMIDIFIER

Independent tests reveal that Vicks' new Germ Free Warm Mist

Humidifier kills up to 99.999 percent of bacteria, mold and spores,

thanks to the work of UV rays in its germicidal chamber. The device

also automatically shuts on and off to achieve the right level of

humidity in a room. $90 at Babies " R " Us.

GERM GUARDIAN PLUG-IN

The Germ Guardian Plug-in employs UV-C light to destroy 99.percent of

airborne germs, including those that cause the flu, colds, strep

throat and staph infections. Its compact size and the fact that it

also fights odors makes it great for bathrooms and kitchens. $60 at

www.elderluxe.com or 1-888-537-5893. Bed, Bath & Beyond carries

something similar.

HAND SANITIZER

Hand sanitizers have created controversy (everything from preschoolers

becoming ill after ingesting significant amounts of these

alcohol-based products to the products posing fire hazards), but

physicians such as Dr. Donna Casey swear by them. The Method Home

version has a mild eucalyptus-mint scent but manages to perform as a

vicious germ slayer. $5 at Target.

THE HANDLER

The Handler could become a germaphobe's new best friend. Not only does

the gadget help you open levered doors, flush toilets, punch numbers

on keypads and more, but the manufacturer says it's also made of

nano-silver! particles that destroy single-celled bacteria, viruses

and fungi. In other words, it works as a barrier limiting your contact

with germs, then destroys them if they bust through. Available in an

array of colors, The Handler sells for $11 at www.handlerusa.com.

HAND VAC

The new Clean2 Hand Vac + UV-C Air Sanitizer is a rechargeable

cordless vacuum that also cleans the air. The hand vac's dirt cup

boasts nano-silver particles to combat odor-causing bacteria.

UV-C AIR SANITIZER

The plug-in UV-C Air Sanitizer reportedly eliminates 99.9.percent of

airborne germs and odors in any room. The manufacturer says a powerful

yet compact and quiet fan pulls microscopic germs into a chamber where

they're destroyed by UV-C light. $50 at Bed Bath & Beyond stores or

www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

CLEANSE LIGHT

The new Cleanse Light is designed to annihilate 99.97.percent of

certain bacteria, fungus and mold present on household surfaces. The

UV-powered light, which shuts off when not turned downward as a safety

feature and runs on four AA batteries, sanitizes surfaces (anything

from furniture to kitchen cutting boards) it's swiped across. $60 at

www.brookstone.com.

GERM-FREE PAK

Flight 001's Germ-Free Pak can be a traveler's best friend during cold

and flu season. Among the items in the kit are antibacterial hand soap

sheets, toilet seat covers, a plane defense inhalation pouch,

no-cooties spray, antibacterial towelettes, mini tissues and E-Boost

immunity booster. Better still, it's carry-on approved. $32 at

www.flight001.com or by calling 877-354-4481.

HANDS-FREE SOAP DISPENSER

It's sort of discouraging to think how many germs and viruses you may

encounter when pressing the pump to dispense liquid soap. tone's

battery-operated stainless-steel Hands-Free Soap Dispenser gives you a

dollop of soap when you move your hands in front of its electronic

eye. $39 in stores or at www.brookstone.com.

DISINFECTING SWEEPER

Hospitals use equipment such as this Cordless UV-C Disinfecting

Sweeper to eliminate bacteria, mold and viruses on hard surfaces such

as hardwood, tile and linoleum. This unit also works on carpets. The

battery lasts up to half an hour on a single charge. $80 at

www.hammacher.com or 1-800-321-1484.

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