Now What? You are probably thinking, I made it to my room and now I am home free. No germs here! Not so fast, there is more work to be done to stay healthy while traveling. This neat well-appointed room you just checked into might not be as germ free as you think. What do you need to do to protect yourself and that of your family? First, inspect the room. A good place to start is in the bathroom and do not hesitate to use your disinfectant wipes.
The following suggestions are also helpful:
- If your water glasses are not sealed and pre-wrapped and your ice bucket does not have a plastic liner wash them both with hot soapy water.
- Put your remote controls in a clear plastic bag during your stay.
- Use your luggage rack instead of your bed when going through your luggage. As the expression goes you don’t know where that luggage has been especially if you checked your luggage with the airlines.
- Examine your sheets for any signs of bedbugs. If anything looks unusual alert hotel management right away.
- Avoid using your bed spread during your stay as it is not likely to have been washed or changed recently.
- If for some reason this is not possible fold the cover back and use the top sheet between you and the cover.
- Especially if you have allergies stay away from the drapes. They tend to trap debris and allergens.
- Wear slippers or socks and avoid sitting on the furniture where your skin has direct contact with chairs and sofas.
- Before you shower rinse the tub with hot water and shampoo;
- Unless you give the tub a good scrubbing it might be a good idea to skip taking a bath.
Remember these suggestions should be applied at any hotel. High end properties are no exception. And don’t forget to check your online hotel reviews, they can be very helpful in setting your expectations.
Healthy Travels!
By Rosa L. McArthur, CMP
