Traveling has never been easier, apart from covid complications. Either way, these days we can easily, quickly and relatively cheaply look at almost any place in the world. If you are going to civilization and are going to stay in a hotel, whether it is in the countryside or abroad, you should follow the tips below to be safe.
First of all
Before you start unpacking, carefully examine the mattress and bedding. Even multi-star hotels often face uninvited guests – bed bugs. You can recognize them by the black and brown spots, which are their droppings. Look under the mattress cover. If you notice anything suspicious, leave the room with your belongings and report your concerns to reception. Hopefully, enjoy your stay.
The potential presence of bed bugs is exactly the reason to follow the old tried and true trick: put your suitcase in the bathtub. Bed bugs attach themselves to fabrics, such as carpets. Of course, if you leave your bags in the bathtub, you won’t be bringing bedbugs home from your travels.
As you inspect the beds, also check the cleanliness of the sheets and towels. If you are not satisfied, have them replaced.
Check the door
In most cases, hotel room locks work, but it’s best to check with peace of mind. Take the hotel key, go out into the corridor and slam the door. Then take the handle and try to open the door without the help of the key. If you fail, it’s okay and you can rest easy.
Wash the glasses
Before you start using hotel glasses, it’s best to wash them thoroughly with warm soapy water. An undercover survey found that up to 73% of these glasses weren’t properly cleaned and disinfected.
Watch out for the controller
We don’t often think about it, but the TV remote is one of the dirtiest items in a hotel room. It is the thing with the second highest incidence of fecal bacteria on the surface, the first place obviously taken by the toilet. Therefore, it is best to clean the controller. Either with a well wrung out cloth or, even better, with antibacterial wipes. At least a small bottle of sanitizer can come in handy in your hotel room.
Also, to be on the safe side, study escape routes, leave valuables in the safe, and if you’re extremely suspicious, check if there are any hidden cameras in the room. But above all…Enjoy your stay to the fullest!
Photo: Shutterstock, source: traveloffpath.com
