Weapons in germ warfare

An arsenal of domestic gadgets is being marketed to help ease your fears, whether your problem is part of the microbe industrial complex – or another household safety issue. Use your own radar to determine which things you can’t live without and which are over the top.

Lotus Sanitizing Bowl – Place fruits and veggies in this bowl and fill with water. The device super-oxygenates the water with ozone, and the company says it destroys bacteria. About $200. www.tersano.com

Oliso Auto-lift iron – Little feet in the sole plate let you keep this iron in a horizontal position, which protects it from falling and you from burning yourself. $100. www.oliso.com

Violight Toothbrush Sanitizer – Using a “germicidal ultraviolet bulb” installed in a sleek, tubular case, this unit is billed as keeping your brush bacteria-free. $30. www.violight.com