12 Spots to Avoid

It’s common knowledge travel can more easily aid the spread of germs and illness among those in transit. There are plenty of ways to stay ahead of the game and avoid the common cold or other bugs — or, at least, try to. The Centers for Disease Control recommend frequent hand washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and avoiding contact with blood and body fluids. Other travelers swear by preventative measures like Airborne.

However you choose to protect yourself, there are a few spots, according to Kelly Torres, marketing associate, La Fresh Group, best to avoid on your travels. These are the 12 top spots with hidden germs:

• Airline food trays (and to think, people sleep on these!)
• Remote controls
• Faucets (especially bathroom)
• Phones
• Computer keyboards and mice
• Door handles (especially bathroom)
• Gas pumps
• Tables (restaurants, conference rooms, etc.)
• Furniture armrests (conference chairs, theaters, etc.)
• Escalator handrails
• Elevator buttons
• Shopping carts

It is impossible to completely avoid germs. But being cautious of excessive contact with some of these germ-ridden and illness-breeding-prone areas will help reduce one’s chances of sickness.

The statistics on germs are staggering. According to the CDC, human flu viruses survive two to eight hours on surfaces, and in favorable conditions, some bacteria can divide every 20 minutes. With winter approaching, keep yourself protected on your travels.