1. A vacuum that zaps allergensMedia Platforms Design TeamThe new Halo UVX Ultraviolet Vacuum combines a “true HEPA” filter (the gold standard for air purification) with an interior tube of ultraviolet light–a technology known to kill microbes and mold upon exposure. Tests show that the UVX safely and instantly eliminates 99.9% of the dust mites, bacteria, viruses, and other critters it encounters. Its filtration system efficiently collects nonliving allergens, too, so they’re not just blown back into the room–a major plus for those sensitive to dust and animal dander. $399; halocompany.com  
  2. A dustpan that gets every crumb specialist in San Jose, CA. $20; available at retailers or target.com If you’re like most people, you spend a few minutes sweeping the floor–and twice as long getting rid of that stubborn line of dirt the dustpan leaves behind. Instead, try ReadiVac’s new Power Pan, with a built-in, battery-operated vacuum made for sucking up all that grit. Bonus: Reducing crumbs on your floor cuts dust in the air and may help fight allergies, says Alan Goldsobel, MD, an allergy andasthma  
  3. A dispenser that stops germ spread from Salmonella and E. coli: “People who wash their hands while preparing food often transfer germs to the soap dispenser–and from there all around the kitchen,” says Christine Bruhn, PhD, a faculty member in the food sciences department at the University of California, Davis. “This cuts down on cross contamination.” In the bath and bathroom, use it to dispense lotion or sunscreen–or, for the world-class germophobe, Purell. $40; brookstone.com Wave your palms under Brookstone’s Hands-Free Soap Dispenser and a UV motion detector triggers a squirt of liquid. In the kitchen, use it to slash your risk offood poisoning  
  4. An alarm that alerts you fast Think of it as a baby monitor for your house. The Home Heartbeat wireless system monitors up to 30 high-risk locations in any abode, relaying messages to a key-chain receiver or–with an add-on package–your cell phone or e-mail. It keeps track of power outlets (did you unplug the iron?), doors and windows, and the water heater; in case of a burst pipe, it can shut off the supply. You can also program household maintenance reminders, like when to change the air filter in your heating system. $225 for a starter kit; $22 to $250 each for add-on accessories; homeheartbeat.com [pagebreak]
  5. A humidifier that doesn’t breed bacteria “People often use humidifiers to improve their breathing, but many devices can actually make things worse by cultivating mold spores in the water tank and then blasting them into the air,” says Mike Van Dyke, an industrial hygienist and indoor air quality expert at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Not the Germ Guardian Digital Ultrasonic Humidifier: Its tank is embedded with microscopic silver particles, proven in numerous studies to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. And because it’s almost silent, you can run it all night in the bedroom. $220; germguardian.com  
  6. A water filter that flavors “People often use humidifiers to improve their breathing, but many device It just got easier to swap sugary drinks for delicious H2O. With the new PUR Flavor Option Pitcher, you can pour a glass of plain, filtered tap water–or, when the urge strikes, push a button to boost your drink’s taste quotient with a blast of zero-calorie strawberry, peach, or raspberry artificial flavoring. $30 for the pitcher; $10 for two replacement cartridges; purwater.com for store locator  
  7. A shovel that protects your back The Wovel is the easiest way to clear snow from your driveway, next to hiring the neighbor’s kid. A 3-foot wheel leverages body weight, making catapulting snow almost effortless. It virtually eliminated back stress in a University of Massachusetts study–plus it can protect from cold-weather overexertion, a major heart attack risk. $120; wovel.com  
  8. A cooker that makes rice healthier and cancer. The cooker can handle brown, white, or sushi rice–with no scorching. $340 for 5 1/2-cup model; zojirushi.com for store locator “Adults need three whole grain servings a day, and brown rice is a great option,” says Sarah Krieger, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Zojirushi’s Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer makes it easy to get the best taste and texture–plus, its “GABA rice” setting soaks brown rice for 2 hours before cooking, encouraging the grains to sprout. This germinated rice is softer and more flavorful; it also contains more fiber and nutrients, including muscle-building lysine and the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Animal studies suggest that getting more GABA may lower blood pressure, improve kidney function, and possibly even inhibitAlzheimer’s disease