We are finally starting to think about travel again. Visiting friends and family or just getting away for vacation.
BUT, many of us are worried about exposure to colds, flu, viruses and harmful bacteria, any of which could result in getting sick, ruining what may be our first travel experience since COVID began.
That’s why I wanted to share with you research conducted over the past several years during the height of COVID, about a travel danger you probably never considered (I know I didn’t!). [2]
I’ve listed 6 things in an airport that are MOST likely to transmit germs. If you know about this ahead of time, you can take steps to protect yourself and your family.
There have been a number of studies in recent years that tested for the ‘germiest’ places in airports. As it turns out, airports are exposing every traveler to ‘germ soup’.
Airports are crowded with people from many different locations, who may have been exposed to a variety of germs. They all get mixed together and expose travelers to ‘germ soup’.
If you think about it, the germ sources below all are places that are ‘high touch’ with lots of hands touching them and they are not subject to the kind of intense cleaning that you would expect in a bathroom, for example.
Here are 6 of the worst and #6 is one I never thought of!
1. Self-check-in touch screens. Sure they are convenient, but just think of all the people touching them.
Solution: Be sure you use hand sanitizer* after using one – see other places to use your hand sanitizer below.
2. Handrails along stairs and escalators.
Solution: For safety, do please use handrails, but when you get off immediately use hand sanitizer or find the nearest rest room and wash your hands thoroughly
3. Chair armrests in the waiting areas (especially near the gates).
Solution: Carry alcohol-based, disinfectant wipes with you and wipe down the chair armrests (and probably a good idea to wipe down the chair as well) before sitting down. Or you could just choose to stand. Do NOT sit on the floor. That is absolutely the dirtiest place in the airport (or just about anywhere)!
4. Water fountain buttons. Since the start of COVID many water fountains have been blocked to prevent the spread of germs, but now many are operational.
Solution: Carry a reusable water bottle with you. You will have to fill it after going through security because they won’t let you carry liquid. You can buy bottled water to refill it, or if you use a water fountain, wipe the button with a disinfectant wipe before using OR use hand sanitizer after using OR wash your hands immediately in the nearest rest room. Don’t forget to wash your bottle, too, since you touched it with your hands after pressing the fountain button.
5. Tray tables on the plane can pick up all sorts of germs. Although they are regularly cleaned, they may not be thoroughly cleaned – especially the edges.
Solution: Again, use those handy disinfectant wipes and wipe down all surfaces of the tray tables.
6. And the one I NEVER thought about –
The TSA security bins you put all your ‘stuff’ in to go through the scanners in security check in lines.
Because there are almost always lines waiting to go through security, making travelers rush to keep the line going, the TSA agents ‘recycle’ the bins quickly. The moment you’ve collected your things, the bin is picked up and put back at the beginning of the line for others to use – the same place you got your bin.
Personally, I’ve never seen anyone cleaning these bins – ever.
Have YOU?
Solution: Once you retrieve your things, don’t touch your face. Be sure to clean your hands with sanitizer or wash them thoroughly as soon as possible.
What can you do – Action Steps
1. Carry disinfectant wipes in an easily-accessible place and USE them on any surface others touch frequently.
2. Carry hand sanitizer* in an easily-accessible place and USE it immediately after touching any questionable surface if you are unable to wash your hands at that time.
Be sure your hand sanitizer bottles comply with TSA’s 3-3-1 Liquids Rule – 3.4 ounce (100 ml) or smaller – or any recent modification to the Rule.
3. Wash you hands frequently (especially before handling food) and do NOT touch your face without washing your hands first.
* Be sure to use minimum 60% alcohol hand sanitizer.
Note: For maximum germ removal, hands should be washed a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Hand sanitizer (a dime-sized amount) should also be ‘washed’ all over your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and allowed to dry. [3]
Traveling was never easy, and taking these precautions may be a bit more of an annoyance, but the last thing you want is to get sick and ruin your long-anticipated vacation or family visit!