We here at Halo are busting at the seams to share with you the biggest news we've had to share since...well...ever!  It will be the biggest news for Halo and could be huge for the floor care industry! But know that it is well worth the wait.  Keep stopping by and stay tuned for the big news!  Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

Another article came out this week speaking again to the fact that allergies and asthma begin at home.  Your house isn't just home to your family and pets...dust mites, mold and other undesireables also take up residence.  Elements like these can cause and aggravate allergies and asthma.  You can take various steps to get rid of those creepy-crawlies at their source.  Read the article to learn more.

Though we have mentioned it before, ultraviolet light can and is being used all over the world in various different ways. Just recently another city in Canada has started using ultraviolet treatments to clean their area's drinking water.  They had previously used chlorine, but Canada's government's environmental standards now recommend other methods due to the potential danger of cholorine entering the environment. Read more here about what the town is doing to use UV light.

Halo is proud to announce that our Halo UVX Ultraviolet Vacuum has been approved by The National Parenting Center!  The approval process is as follows:  The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval program is an independent testing procedure conducted to judge a variety of products introduced and marketed to the parent/child consumer market.

The testing involves a multi-step process conducted over an eight week period. Staffed by volunteers, the testing facility of The National Parenting Center gives parents, children, and educators the opportunity to examine a variety of submitted products. The testers are encouraged to play with, build, read about, and judge by the reactions of the children, each product's quality. Participants fill out questionnaires for each product they test. Evaluated are each product's level of desirability, sturdiness, interactive stimulation and other ingredients essential in the make-up of a quality product. Test results are based on both statistical averaging and comments received from the parent/testers. The Seal of Approval program is designed to continue the efforts of The National Parenting Center, which was chartered in 1989 to help create better informed parents as they tackle the challenges of parenting in the new millennium. We must be doing something right, eh?  We are proud and also humbled.  Thank you to the TNPC for the vote of confidence!

Yet again, I have come across an interesting article to share.  This one happens to be about the effects of traffic fumes on the likelihood of children developing asthma.  If you live in the city, this is a great read to learn more about asthma. Check it out!

Did you happen to catch us last night on Modern Marvels on the History Channel?  Well, if you weren't able to catch it, the show will be aired again, Saturday night, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The Show Description:
Vacuums aren't just for cleaning floors. There are giant vacuums that clean up after disasters like Hurricane Katrina and underwater vacuums that save coral reefs by suctioning up invasive algae. In the 19th century pneumatic vacuum tubes delivered mail speedily via miles of tubes. Visit the Hoover Vacuum Museum, see how the household sweeper was invented and learn about some unusual applications. Finally, a trip to world's largest vacuum chamber at NASA's Plum Brook Research Center reveals how NASA tests vehicles and equipment before their journey into the final frontier. As one of our customer service reps (ever-so-humbly) said this morning, "We are the modernest of marvels!"  If you get a chance, check out Halo in the chronological timeline of vacuum cleaners - we are honored to be considered at the forefront of floor care!

An interesting article came out recently about the use of allergy drops under one's tongue rather than going to the doctor for allergy shots.  The effects seem to be good, however, this methods hasn't been approved by the FDA yet and is still only being experimented with at this time. It's something to read about, that's for sure.  All sorts of interesting solutions are coming out for us allergy sufferers! http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6958362

Today, the cover story on Yahoo! Health is Children's Asthma.  All questions and answers are there at your fingertips.  It's definitely worth a look considering the kids are going back to school and there are a lot of important things to keep in mind. Check it out! http://health.yahoo.com/

Working here at Halo, I learn something new everyday.  Whether its about the affects of dust mite allergens or the percentage of people affected by mold allergies, I add a new "fun fact" to my arsenal on a regular basis. I just came across another interesting article about the different definitions and different types of asthma.  The outline was great for me to learn more about the cause and effects of nature and nuture when it comes to the illness. I know I could use a little more education on these things...and it's my job to pass it along. Check it out.

An interesting study just recently came out to make you questions how often you are dusting your home. The EPA study suggests that household dust containing a certain common flame retardant may be responsible for cats getting sick from overactive thyroids. That could be a warning sign for how children could get exposed to the chemical as well. Read more about the study here.

Another great article just recently came out about the composition of dust and the importance of keeping your home clean when it comes to allergies and asthma.  It's more proof that house dust mites and their droppings are the most important cause of asthma worldwide. Check it out!

I just came across a very interesting article on hyposensitivity injections for asthma and allergy sufferers.  Would you be a candidate for such treatments?  Read the article and find out.

If you're anything like me, you are obsessed with reality TV and, more than likely, know who Trista and Ryan Sutter are.  "The Bachelorette" and winning bachelor from season two of the famous series just recently gave birth to their first child, Maxwell Alston Sutter.  He was born prematurely and the couple knew early that they would have to take extra precautions to create a safe environment for their newborn.  The couple has taken time to choose paints, air purifiers and even water purifiers to "green"- up their home in Vail, Colorado. "I have allergies, and Ryan had allergies when he was a child, so the likelihood that our baby may have allergies is pretty high," Trista says. "The air is pretty pure in the mountains, but every little bit helps." Maybe the proud new parents could use a Halo? Read about their home here.

Amy Allen Clark, self-proclaimed "vacuum-obsessed" blogger and administrator of MomAdvice.com just posted her review of our Halo UVX.  We were delighted to hear all the comments she had to share. "I have been enjoying disinfecting my house with the new vacuum. There is something so cleansing, knowing that you are kill dust mites and bacteria that are living in your carpet. This is the type of product that I wished I would have had when my daughter was crawling around on the floor." Read the review here!  And after that, check out the rest of our site to see if a Halo would be good for you!

An incredibly thorough review of our Halo UVX just came out on Thingamababy.com that you should definitely check out if you get a chance.  Andrew Jones, head blogger over at Thingamababy reviews various products and details the ins and outs of being a father with so many product choices out there.  If you don't believe us when we say that the Halo UVX is worth a try, ask Andrew.  He was incredibly curious about our product and wrote up the review to show it. Read it here!

DuPont recently announced a new product they came up with for covering mattresses and pillow cases.  The goal of this product was to be able to encase these items for allergy and asthma sufferers but ensure comfort as well.  Many of the products out there can be crunchy and stiff, but DuPont claims to have the answer.  Check it out here.