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Allergy

How to Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling

Anna Smith

Published

2 years ago

on

Most people travel for business or pleasure and often look forward to seeing new sites and coming home with new memories. Unfortunately, it is possible to come back with a few pests picked up from the hotel room where you stay, even in nicer hotels. If you want to protect yourself while traveling and avoid bed bugs, there are a few key tips to follow.

Check the Bed Bug Registry

Utilizing the bed bug registry before booking a room will allow you to steer clear of pests where other guests have reported issues. You can check apartments and hotels across North America to filter where you plan to stay in advance to reduce your risk. The registry is updated continuously and will prove to be a reliable resource while traveling throughout the continent. Though this tool is helpful, it relies on voluntary reporting, so it is not foolproof.

Keep an Eye Out for Signs

Bed bugs can be difficult to spot, but there are some telltale signs that they leave behind. You may notice small brown spots on the bedding or sheets on the bed, which are droppings left behind by the critters. It’s also important to inspect the mattress to look for areas they may be hiding. They are most commonly found in seams and buttonholes. You’ll also want to look behind the headboard, sofa, and chairs. Outlets (and even the screws that attach outlets in the wall) are another good choice. If you don’t know what they look like, look online before you search. If you arrive midday, you can also place bed bug detector cups at the bottom of each foot of your bed and head out for a meal or a day of fun. Before you crash, check the cups for signs that you’re not alone.

Store Your Luggage in the Garage

Once you return home from your trip, you’ll want to leave your luggage in the garage or an outbuilding to prevent any possible bed bugs you’ve picked up from entering the home. If your garage is attached to your house and heated, consider putting it in a garbage bag for a couple weeks. Wash all of your clothes in the washing machine with hot water to kill any critters that latched onto your garments. Thoroughly vacuuming the suitcase can also remove any bed bugs or eggs that are present. Empty the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag to prevent the bugs from finding their way into the building.

Avoid Placing Your Suitcase on the Floor

Once you arrive at the hotel, make it a point to place your suitcase on the rack that is available in a well-lit area away from the bed. Closets in hotels were designed to be bug-safe locations for your clothing. Bed bugs are prone to crawling on the floor and can have easy access to your suitcase if it’s not on a luggage rack. Placing it in the bathroom and leaving the light on during your stay can also prevent them from finding their way into your belongings.

Knowing how bed bugs transfer and what to look for at hotels will allow you to protect yourself while traveling. Following these guidelines will reduce your risk of infestation and give you peace of mind while away from home.

More travel tips from Wake Up!:

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Allergy

How to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

Anna Smith

Published

11 months ago

on

March 31, 2020

By

If you suffer from allergies your life can be limited in ways that people who don’t have allergies will never understand. Some triggers can bring about debilitating symptoms that can be legitimately categorized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Keep It Clean

The first barrier to attack is cleanliness. Vacuum, mop, wipe down and anything that will keep dust and pollen at bay. Inasmuch as rugs can hold allergens, it is better to have uncarpeted floors with rugs throughout your home than to have wall to wall carpet. Rugs can trap dust and other allergens in your home so they aren’t floating around the air. Wear a mask when vacuuming and cleaning the house. Use a vacuum with a bag to cut down on dust flying when you empty your vacuum.

Wash all bedding frequently, and replace your pillows often or use pillowcases that are antiallergen. You might change your pillowcases more often than your sheets since your face is directly on them, and you are breathing in whatever is being held in their fibers. Taking a shower or at least washing your hair at night will cut down on pollution that has taken up residence in your hair during the day so that it will not be transferred to your pillowcase when you sleep.

Keep Windows Closed

Fresh air is not always a good thing. Keep those windows shut, especially when pollen count is high. For some people, air flowing through open windows can wreak havoc regardless of the level of pollen and any poses a threat. A HEPA air purifier may help cut down on allergens inside your house.

No Furry Friends Allowed

Pet dander is one of the biggest causes of allergy exacerbation. It can be heartbreaking to have to get rid of a much-loved pet, but sometimes it is the only way for you to stay healthy. If you absolutely must have a pooch in residence, keep him brushed and shampooed frequently. If your beloved is a feline, she can be brushed as well. If you do it yourself, wear a mask, do the pet grooming outside, put your clothes in the washer immediately afterward and preferably take a shower. Even low dander animals have some.

Whether yours only crop up once or twice a year, or you need allergy shots on a regular basis, there are ways to get relief, though not always as quickly as you would like. Discuss new options with your doctor and be open to new ways to alleviate your symptoms.

Increase your health by getting to know your body! Click here for some essential lifestyle tips.

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