What you can't see can hurt you-especially when it comes to the pollen, pet dander, ragweed and dust mites found in many homes.

Increasingly, health-minded homeowners are looking for vacuum cleaners that offer the healthier advantage of targeting hidden allergens. Here are some hints on what to look for:

? Superior cleaning. A vacuum should have superior cleaning power on all surfaces.

? HEPA filtration. In addition to superior suction power, the vacuum's HEPA filter should trap and seal in 100 percent of pollen, mold spores, ragweed and dust mites. For example, the advanced Airetight? HEPA filtration system on BISSELL's Healthy Home Vacuum? prevents the spread of these allergens, purifying the air while vacuuming and helping to create a healthier home environment.

? Everyday convenience. Look for features that make it conve-nient. A fingertip power control means you don't have to continually reach down to turn the vacuum on and off. A brush on/off switch offers greater flexibility to clean carpets as well as bare floors. A 35-foot power cord gives greater reach so you can clean larger areas more easily. Additionally, an extra-wide cleaning path and anti-clog hose can make cleaning faster.

Some vacuums include advanced features to give them an even healthier advantage. The BISSELL Healthy Home Vacuum is one vacuum that includes two proprietary technologies that help families create a healthier home.

To keep the vacuum cleaner and fresher, Microban? anti-microbial product protection is built into key components of the Healthy Home Vacuum and fights the growth of odor-causing microbes such as bacteria, mold and mildew within the vacuum.

To help the 38 million Americans who are allergic to dust mite allergens, full-size samples of Acarosan? dust mite powder and Acarosan? dust mite control spray come packed in with the vacuum. These products kill dust mites and incorporate a "micro-sponge" cleaning technology designed to adhere to small dirt particles and dust mite allergens. This creates larger particles so the vacuum can effectively remove them from carpet and upholstery fibers.