October 15, 2018
Traveling during the winter cold and flu season always feels like taking a risk with your health, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the likelihood of catching the bug.
Sea-Tac International Airport works hard to reduce the spread of germs for the more than 46.8 million travelers every year.
Sea-Tac Airport and its janitorial service companies C&W Services and PRIDE Industries utilize green cleaning products and environmentally friendly tools, equipment, and technology to keep the airport clean without negative impacts to the environment or the traveler experience.
In a high traffic area like Sea-Tac, using products that deep clean without the use of harsh chemicals is vital. The cleaning products used don’t contain ammonia or toxic-by-products. They are also biodegradable and don’t have a chemical smell or adverse impacts on your health or the environment. The janitorial staff also use microfiber mopping systems and wiping cloths for more effective cleaning using less chemicals.
From automatic cleaning robots that free up humans to focus on more detailed cleaning priorities to bathroom sensors that indicate when items are running low, Sea-Tac Airport works hard behind the scenes to make your travel experience cleaner and healthier.
Here are tips to help you navigate the airport and holiday travel without taking the bug home with you.
1. Eat a healthy meal before you go. Light and vitamin-rich foods will make you feel better and boost your immunity. A couple of passenger favorites for healthy options at the airport are Floret, a full service vegan/vegetarian restaurant and bar featuring sit-down and grab-and-go options on your way to the A Gates, and Dish D’Lish in C Gates, offering Northwest inspired, healthy to-go options made fresh daily, including salads, sandwiches, snacks, and gluten free items by celebrity chef Kathy Casey.
2. Wash your hands frequently. Although this may seem obvious, it’s harder to do in practice. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly is vital to staying well. First, wet your hands with running water — either hot or cold. Apply soap and lather, and make sure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Finally, dry your hands and try to turn off the faucet and open the door with a paper towel.
3. Try to avoid touching objects in public spaces. Limit touching things like doorknobs, handrails, and other objects in public spaces. While Sea-Tac Airport staff clean these surfaces frequently, they’re also the most-touched objects at the airport.
4. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often. Make sure that it’s in a small TSA-approved container and remember to pull it out before security.
5. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is the number one way to transport a bug into your system.
6. Boost your immunity. Power up your body with Vitamins C, B6, and E before traveling to support healthy immune function.
7. Stay hydrated. Travelers often don’t drink enough water while flying. According to Condé Nast Traveler, “The Aerospace Medical Association suggests about eight ounces of water every hour you’re in the air. The longer the flight, however, the more hydration matters.” Bring an empty bottle through security then refill at one of the water refill stations. Find the nearest station using the interactive airport map. And lay off the alcohol and coffee during flight because they can be dehydrating.
8. Clean your cell phone. We use our cell phones constantly, but they’re 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. To stop the spread of germs, regularly disinfect and clean your phone with a screen-safe cloth.
9. Sanitize your seat area on the plane. The tray table, armrests, and seat belt buckles are germ magnets. Carry sanitizing wipes that contain at least 60% alcohol to scrub the germs. And avoid eating anything that has touched the tray table.
10. Wipe your hands after touching the overhead buttons on the plane. Pull out that hand sanitizer or wash your hands in the lavatory.
We wish you a happy and healthy holiday travel season!
