Fighting winter dryness - What's New?

* We've long held that the world of winter provides the best living conditions possible, with one notable exception--we hate what it does to our family's skin, especially the kids'. What with the oil burner and fireplace going full blast inside and Old Man Winter whipping up frigid winds outside, everyone seems to get as dry as kindling in no time. Any time our youngsters have a respiratory infection, our doctors recommend a humidifier, and the children's lungs and skin seem the better for it. So why wait until they're sick?, we thought. Let's run a humidifier as a matter of course.

Where to turn for the proper unit was a no-brainer. The air circulators and electric space heaters we had acquired over the last several months from Vornado, Inc., Andover, Kan., proved to be godsends, so why not the company's 4x4 Multi-Room Humidifier ($80) as well?

As with all Vornado products, the key phrase is "vortex action circulation." The unit's deep-pitched propeller, powerful motor, and AirTensity Grill work in harmony to push soft, natural moisture deeper and deeper into each room. The humidity essentially stirs and twists, migrating throughout the house, going floor to ceiling, wall to wall, corner to corner. Moreover, the humidistat and fan control let you meet any comfort need, as this humidifier can evaporate up to four gallons of water a day. There also are an easy-fill one-piece bottle; large handle; wide-mouth, funnel-shaped spout; and airlock feature that forms a tight seal to keep water clean and safe. The wicks trap minerals and other water-borne contaminants, thus inhibiting bacteria growth. Combined with bacteria-resistant plastic parts and an airtight bottle, this humidifier always runs clean.

Of course, if you don't clean your humidifier at least once a week, you could be sending harmful microorganisms into the air. Wouldn't it be great if you could just throw the water tank into the dishwasher and be done with it? Well, thanks to the Cool Mist Humidifier from Hamilton Beach, Inc., Glen Allen, Va., you can. The Cool Mist ($69.99) has a 3 1/2-gallon daily output which lasts 24 hours and covers 1,200 square feet. Other major conveniences include a storage cord that wraps inside the unit; drop-in filter that wicks moisture away from the water tray for quick evaporation; QuietMist setting that is perfect for the bedroom; "leg hugging" indentation on the water tank for easy carrying; and an AirSmart Control that constantly tracks the humidity level and turns on and off to maintain your desired level of moist air.

These humidifiers are available at drug and department stores, mass merchandisers, and home products outlets.

As long as you're making your winter indoor air as healthy as possible, you might as well go one step further with the Environizer electronic air purifier from Honeywell, Inc., Southborough, Mass. The 27"-high version ($199.99) handles medium-size to large rooms while the 16" one ($99.99) is best for small to mid-size rooms. This extremely quiet device reduces common household odors, smoke, and allergens while capturing dust, pollen, and pet dander. There are no filters to buy or replace, as the cleaning rod wipes off with a cloth. The upright design tucks neatly into a corner, and the carry handle provides easy portability. The Environizer is available exclusively at Radio Shack.

This symbol * indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacture's specifications and to determine is performance as applicable to our reader's need. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.

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