Don’t bring an uninvited guest home… take bed bug precautions.
Anyone, anywhere can be exposed to bed bugs. Exposure is not tied to your cleanliness. These small bugs are about ¼ inch long and resemble an apple seed in appearance, they do not jump and they do not have wings. They can be found in hotels, schools, rooming houses and hospitals. Acquiring second-hand items also increases your risk of exposure. So if you travel for work, or work in one of these environments don’t bring an uninvited guest home… take bed bug precautions.
Take the following precautions when staying in a hotel
- Keep clothing in a tightly tied plastic bag in your suitcase or hang clothing in the closet
- The bathroom is a good place to keep your luggage, or put it on a luggage rack
- Before you unpack
- Check the headboard and nightstand for bed bugs
- Next check the mattress and box spring. While mattresses and box springs are changed frequently in hotels exam these for evidence of bed bugs which could include blood stains and bed bug droppings. Don’t forget to check the seams and mattress tag.
- If you detect signs of bed bugs request another room and tell hotel management what you found
- If you have bites or find evidence of bed bugs during your trip take extra precautions when you return home
- Unpack outdoors
- Launder washables using the hot water setting
- Place everything in the dryer at the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes
- Vacuum your luggage
Know Earthquake Survival Tips for Home or Travel
In any sudden crisis, the goal is to mitigate damage and escape personal injury. An earthquake can happen without warning and depending on where you live you may not have much experience with how to handle this situation. Survival may, therefore, depend on preparing in advance and thinking ahead about how to respond quickly, taking the guesswork out of managing the situation. Read these tips if you are planning on travelling to earthquake-vulnerable counties like Japan, Nepal, India, Philippines or even Mexico. In Canada, British Columbia is the region that experiences the most seismic activity. However earthquakes can also occur in other regions including Quebec, Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories and even Ontario.
In an Earthquake:
- If you are indoors when shaking starts, drop to the floor, preferably against an interior wall.
- If you are in bed, put the pillow over your head.
- If you are on the floor, cover your head with your arms.
- If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels.
- Stay away from windows, hanging objects and mirrors.
- Remain inside during an earthquake.
- If you are outside, look for an open area, free of debris and fallen power lines.
- If you are a near an Ocean, head for higher ground. A tsunami may be approaching.
Coming Back from a Vacation the Smart Way
Vacations are great for our mental health, but the transition back to work can end up being an overwhelming ordeal. You may think that now that you are well rested, you are ready to get back to work and be as productive as humanly possible. On the flip side you may be dragging your feet back to your workplace wishing you were back on the beach. While attitude does matter, first day back will probably be stressful in either case. To alleviate the stress all you have to do is plan your return before you leave on vacation. Your efforts of planning ahead will welcome you back with a smooth transition, and time to share highlights of your trip.
To do before you leave on vacation for a smoother return back to the workplace:
- Make a list of projects and tasks you’re working on, note their status and priority
- Delegate time sensitive tasks to coworkers
- Set an Out-of-the-Office email responder
- Clean your desk and living space to come back to a clean environment
- Reschedule any meeting from the first day back to the second day
- Book in a time for catching up with your supervisor/colleagues about any changes or updates
- Book in a time to declutter your email on the first day back
Are you moving enough at work? Create a Walking Group!
To lead a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended that adults get 150 minutes of heart-pumping action each week. Learn how to take physical activity into your workplace by starting a walking group and adding movement into your workday with these healthy tips.
Build movement into your workday by:
- Starting a walking group at work
- Taking stretch breaks throughout the day
- Have standing, or walking, meetings
- Take the stairs
- Build more walking and exercise into your commute
Staying Safe On, During, and After Vacation
If you research top travel destinations for Canadians, you will notice trends of new popular vacation spots. Destinations of travel are changing; more are opting for visiting famous spots in Latin America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa as opposed to an enclosed resort in a heavily explored island. This reflects love and curiosity for new places, but poses a risk of exposure to infectious diseases and other health and safety hazards. It’s no reason to fear however, the threats are preventable. With proper precaution and planning, the risks can be controlled for. Let’s talk about the before, during, and after of how to vacation safe.
Key guidelines you should follow when travelling to countries that may have different safety practices and regulations
- Eat foods that are fully cooked and served hot
- Eat only fruits and vegetables that you can wash and peel yourself.
- Eat and drink only dairy products that have been pasteurized.
- Do not eat food from street vendors.
- Drink beverages that have been bottled or sealed (water, carbonated drinks, or sports drinks).
- Do not put ice in drinks.
Read more to know about prevention measures you can take to explore new destinations but avoid infectious disease.
