Does the mere mention of bedbugs make your skin itch?
These hidden creatures that thrive in the nighttime may not only leave signs of their presence, they can also wiggle their way into your suitcases—and once they invite themselves into your home, they’re incredibly difficult to get rid of.

Not interested in having these hitchhikers? Make sure you do the following.

 

Inspect Your Room

Upon arriving at your holiday destination, take a moment to thoroughly inspect your room for any signs of bed bugs before unpacking. Look for small black dots on the bed frame, as these can indicate bed bug feces. If you spot any, immediately request a different room at the reception. Meanwhile, keep your luggage either outside the room or in the bathtub. To further protect your belongings, consider wrapping your suitcase in a large plastic bag to prevent any bed bugs from hitching a ride.

Sadly, spraying your luggage with bug spray won’t help as it’s not effective against bed bugs.

 

Upon Coming Home

Back home from your trip, unpack your luggage on your balcony or in your bathroom against a light-colored surface. This way you can better see whether you have any unwanted hitchhikers. Shake out all clothing in a shower or bathtub. If you suspect bed bugs, wash all your clothing immediately at 60°C. For clothing, where that is not possible, put them in the dryer at 50°C for at least 30 minutes—this will kill the hitchhikers before they can make themselves at home in your place. Alternatively small items can be put into a freezer for several days.

Should an infestation occur despite all precautionary measures, it is important to recognize and act quickly. Control usually cannot be carried out without the assistance of a professional pest control company.

 

Travel Accidents

Did you know that traffic accidents are the most common cause of death amongst tourists? 90% of them happen in Asia, Latin America and Africa. When you're traveling abroad, your risk of getting injured or even killed in a traffic accident is up to 100 times higher than in Switzerland. Pedestrians, cyclists and passengers in overcrowded vehicles are particularly at risk.

 

Make sure to stick to the following points to avoid accidents on your travels:

• Familiarize yourself with the traffic rules at your destination (be careful when driving on the left!) and watch out for traffic accidents; wear a seatbelt and, if on a two-wheeler, be sure to wear a helmet and other protective gear (long pants, boots, gloves, jacket).
• Ride carefully, defensively and in daylight. Make sure to take a break every 2-3 hours.
• When renting a car or motorcycle: take a short test drive and check the correct settings (brakes, lights, seat belt) and tire tread. A large car is usually safer than a small one.
• Choose safe transportation and avoid risky shared cabs (tuk-tuk, matatu, daladala, etc.).
• Never travel in the back of a truck.
• Inform your family and friends if you are traveling to a remote or risky area.
• Carry emergency numbers, a copy of your passport, health insurance card and important travel documents with you.
• Never drive, dive or swim while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or when tired.
• When flying to a country and renting a car locally, be mindful of the child seats. Pay attention to the right size, good quality or whether they are available at all.

 

Any injury sustained while traveling , whether it`s a twisted ankle, broken wrist or cut, can spoil your fun. If you get injured while traveling, prioritize medical treatment—you don’t want your injury to become even worse. If it’s severe, don’t be afraid to visit the nearest hospital. Many travel destinations feature medical facilities catering to tourists.

 

Afterward, make sure to stick to your treatment plan, also upon returning home. Staying proactive in your recovery helps to avoid long-term effects that might stand in the way of your future travels.

As for preventing accidents, the greatest tip is to be aware of your limits and don’t push past them. However, even then, not all accidents can be prevented—hence the name “accident”—so it’s better to know what you should do if an accident occurs; having guidance in an emergency is the best way to keep a level head and make the right decisions.

 

Remember, while you cannot prevent all accidents and unwanted souvenirs, by properly preparing for your trip and meeting with a travel consultant, you can significantly reduce your risk of harm. Now, the only thing left for you to do is be careful while traveling, diligently check your room for bed bugs, and, most importantly, have fun.