Handy Household Helpers

By Taryn Mohrman
The right tools make all the difference when working on home improvements. Check out our picks.
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Trendy Toolbox

Peter Ardito

Make room in the junk drawer by stashing tools in Alice Supply Co.'s striped metal caddy. The removable plastic tray is the perfect place to store small screws and nails. $82; alicesupplyco.com

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Lightweight Lift

Peter Ardito

The Kikkerland EZ Fold step stool stores flat so you can keep it in the closet or cabinet until you need a lift to change the lightbulb or dust the ceiling. $15.50; amazon.com

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Flexible Light

Peter Ardito

Attach the GorillaTorch Flare to any work surface with its magnetic, malleable tripod legs to shine white or red LEDs on the project at hand. $35; joby.com

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Multi Mallet

Peter Ardito

The stainless steel Sheffield 14-in-1 Hammer can handle banging in nails -- and then some. It has a built-in pair of pliers, metal file, can opener, and more. $15; amazon.com

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Savvy Scissors

Peter Ardito

A built-in bottle opener, awl tip, tape cutter, and blade sharpener, make Fiskars' Cuts+More scissors the pair to keep in the kitchen. $20; fiskars.com

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Safe Fire Starter

Peter Ardito

Zippo's refillable Candle Lighter has an ergonomic design and a child-safety button so you keep it within reach -- without the worry. $20; zippo.com

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Garden Guru

Peter Ardito

The rust-resistant Planter's Pal digs; weeds; cuts sod, twine, and soil bags; tamps down stakes; and has measurements on the side so you don't have to switch tools. $10; homedepot.com

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Pretty Plug

Peter Ardito

Save time searching the garage for an extension cord by choosing a standout style, like this Coleman 25-foot, weather-resistant punchy purple one. $24; cableorganizer.com

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Battery Buddy

Peter Ardito

Juice up your kids' toys using Oxo Tot's 4-inch Battery Screwdriver. A nonslip handle and four different heads will get the job done fast. $5; onestepahead.com

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Measuring Mate

Peter Ardito

This Molecule soft tape measure can determine the width of a bookshelf or the size of your child's waist. $8.50; pylones-usa.com

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Hands-Off Hammer

Peter Ardito

No room to swing a hammer? Pull the trigger of the Craftsman NEXTEC 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer to drive a nail into the wall or surface instead. $90; ACE Hardware

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Good Wrench

Peter Ardito

Tighten loose nuts and bolts on the swing set or raise the seat on your child's two-wheeler using Kobalt's socket-style Mulit Drive Wrench. $25; lowes.com

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Clever Cutters

Peter Ardito

It's easy to cut through even the toughest plastic toy packaging and superstrong zip ties with the Open It. $20; buyopenit.com

Originally published in the April 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

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