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Protect Yourself from Germs with the Handler

March 21st, 2008 @ 6:54 am

6 Comments

Categories: Gizmos and Gadgets, Travel Tips

Tags: Photocopier, Hook, Copiers, Rick Broida

the-handler.jpgTrying to keep yourself healthy? Then avoid touching… well, anything. Public bathrooms, office microwave and refrigerator handles, and even copier buttons can transmit the bacteria that cause colds, flus, and worse. If only you had some kind of germ-proof plastic hook instead of those accursed fingers!

Enter the Handler, a germ-proof plastic hook you whip out every time you need to open a door, push a button, lift or lower a toilet seat, scratch your bum, and so on.

I don’t mean to sound so glib about this; I actually think it’s a very clever product. (Blame the demo video: It made a really compelling case until it got to the part about “infused with advanced nano-silver particles,” which caused me to burst out laughing.) The Handler can clip to a keychain or slip into a pocket. It’s available in a variety of colors and sells for $10.95, a small price to pay for dramatically reducing germ exposure.

Just don’t try to shake hands with it — unless the other person has a Handler, too, in which case you can, er, shake hooks.

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  •  
    1

    Energy1967

    03/24/08 | Report as spam

    Handler

    The TSA will prohibit this from planes since it looks like a small martial arts weapon.

  •  
    2

    BizHacksRick

    03/25/08 | Report as spam

    TSA

    Do you know that for a fact or are you just guessing? It doesn't strike me as particularly weapon-like, but I suppose it could raise eyebrows at airport security.

  •  
    3

    bobilly68

    06/02/08 | Report as spam

    Handler in Airports OK

    I just bought my Handler in a Brookstone airport store, so airports are AOK for Handler.

  •  
    4

    skennedy@...

    03/25/08 | Report as spam

    This can't be effective

    Reasons why this can't work:

    1) Won't it still get coated with icky stuff, and won't your hand brush against the hook part when you put your hand into your pocket or purse to get it?

    2) Now that you've touched whatever with it...what? You're going to put it back in your pocket?

    3) Even if this material is infused with silver, that's only so effective against germs. So really, you're just going to end up with a MRSA breeding ground in your pocket. The proliferation of antibacterial agents are a significant contributor to the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

    I understand the "ick" factor, but you're better off tolerating some germs and either carrying alcohol wipes (kills germs without resorting to antibacterial agents), or washing your hands frequently. Your immune system actually requires testing by milder germs in order to maintain itself.

  •  
    5

    BizHacksRick

    03/26/08 | Report as spam

    Who knows?

    Not silver... NANO-silver. For what it's worth, the hook locks away inside the Handler until you need it; then you just push a button to flip it open.

  •  
    6

    bobilly68

    06/02/08 | Report as spam

    Handler self cleans

    One more thing. You should know that the Handler essentially self disinfects itself --- instantly with the nano particles. The only part that touches icky stuff is the hook, which is coated with nannosilvers. that's the point. You don't touch it, the hook does. I use it more for the obvious places like keying in passwords at ATM or store checkouts where thousands of people place their disgusting fingers every day. I wish they would have nannosilver pens for those things. Next up I suppose.

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  • Blogger Thumbnail Rick Broida A technology writer for more than 15 years, Rick Broida is a regular contributor to CNET, Popular Science, Wired and other publications. He's also the author of numerous books, including How to Do Everything with Your Zune. When he's not chained to his keyboard, he's usually shooting hoops or watching quality television. more »

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