The Invisible Danger in Your Hotel Room

WARNING: Germs are everywhere and impossible to eradicate. Hotel rooms are a favorite spot for bacteria and microbes. Despite appearing clean, they can be more dangerous than a garbage dump. The dirt in hotel rooms is almost invisible, so beware of the invisible danger lurking in your hotel room. Don't let your guard down and take precautions to protect yourself from harmful bacteria.

WARNING: Germs are everywhere, including in elevators. The button panel in elevators is a breeding ground for billions of microbes that multiply and spread quickly. These germs can cause problems for your health. Even in apartment buildings, where the same people live, germs can spread easily through elevator buttons. When you stay in hotels, you encounter germs from all over the world. A bacterium from one country can be dangerous for someone from another. After touching elevator buttons or door handles, wash your hands with soap or disinfectant. Door handles are particularly dangerous because they are touched by many people and may not be cleaned often. Be cautious and take steps to protect your health.

Microbes accumulate on our hands when we don't wash them, and we transfer a million bacteria by touching different surfaces. To minimize the spread of bacteria, touch door handles with the same hand used for elevator buttons and wash your hands upon entering a room. Hotel staff usually clean bathrooms better than other areas, but check for mold in corners and tiles. Mold can cause allergic reactions, but is unlikely to be found in a well-maintained hotel room. Toilet paper in public restrooms contains more germs than the toilet lid, so avoid using it to cover the seat. After washing hands, use a paper towel instead of a hand dryer to avoid spreading bacteria. Some common bacteria in hotels can cause intestinal infections, so take precautions to stay healthy during your trip.

To ensure a clean and safe hotel stay, start by washing glasses and cups with soap. Consider bringing your own mug. Identify high-touch areas such as the TV remote, coffee machine, fridge handle, table, hair dryer, and windows. Use wet wipes with a disinfectant to clean these surfaces. While hotels may monitor cleanliness, it's best to be proactive. Once in bed, consider the cleanliness of the bedspread and potential presence of bed bugs. While washing pillowcases and linens helps, bed bugs can hide for months and bite while you sleep. Be alert for dark spots on the mattress and small red marks on your skin.

Bed bugs can be a problem when traveling as they can get into your clothes or belongings and multiply rapidly. To avoid bringing them home, it's recommended to wash your clothes and clean your luggage before leaving the hotel. Even if a hotel room appears clean, bed bugs may have been brought in by previous guests. It's also important to keep your home clean and free of germs, as they can be found on various surfaces such as game controllers, cutting boards, and dish sponges. The fridge is another common place for germs to accumulate, so it's important to wash it often and keep meat away from other packaged products. Overall, being aware of potential sources of germs and taking preventative measures can help maintain a clean and safe environment.