Avoiding germs on the flight?

[canopynut66]

Never occurred to me to ask and I probably never will. Clorox wipes are not very strong. They aren't straight bleach. No worse than an antibacterial wipe (which I have also used to wipe stuff down). Close quarters like that, people coughing and sneezing and touching things...sorry, will continue to wipe my area down! Especially after I got VERY sick and had to visit the ER from a flight about a year and a half ago, around the time the swine flu was going around.

agree with this

 

[maxiesmom]

Never occurred to me to ask and I probably never will. Clorox wipes are not very strong. They aren't straight bleach. No worse than an antibacterial wipe (which I have also used to wipe stuff down). Close quarters like that, people coughing and sneezing and touching things...sorry, will continue to wipe my area down! Especially after I got VERY sick and had to visit the ER from a flight about a year and a half ago, around the time the swine flu was going around.

Do they make unscented wipes? It seems like the must. That would be the way to make everyone happy.

 

[summerrluvv]

Very true! Sadly it is not just on the internet. We live in an "it's all about me" and "I can do what I want with no regard to others" society.

Trying to keep yourself healthy by wiping down your personal space on the airplane with a cleaning wipe is hardly having no regard for anyone else. In fact, I think most airlines would tell you to do it. Your statement makes it sound as if I poured a bottle of bleach on my tray. There is NO bleach smell to a clorox wipe. At least not the ones I buy. In fact, looking at the cannister they are called a disenfecting wipe...which I'm pretty sure is the same as a lysol antibacterial wipe.

I'm not going to go back and forth on this anymore

 

[livndisney]

Do they make unscented wipes? It seems like the must. That would be the way to make everyone happy.

Yes, they do make unscented ones. Traditionally the alchohol based ones are scent free as well.

 

[robsmith1098]

We use a wipe that has a light citrus scent and kills 99% of the germs. It is also a 'green' product. It comes in a pouch, however you could put some in a ziploc bag for use while on the plane.

 

[Alexander]

Please take this tongue-in-cheek, as that's how it's intended....

If you want to get over the fear of germs on your child, have another kid! Seriously---I was the same way with the first one...no germs, no sugar, nothing bad for him...Ha--child number 2 eats kit kats for breakfast and crawled around on the airport floor when he was 8 months old (okay, we had been there for 18 hours, I really didn't care at that point!).

Having a child home-schooled does make a big difference as far as catching things. My oldest never got sick until he went to preschool, then he was sick every other week. He was essentially raised in a plastic bubble. Fast forward to child number two--the one who crawled on the aiport floor...he started preschool last year and never gets sick. Expose them to the germs--they're better for it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Sometime ago our TV station did a report on germs on the lap trays on planes. Ever since then we never never never touch those trays. YUCK. Think about it. Between flights there is not enought time for the airlines to clean ever tray on the plane. Think of how many hands though out the day that touch those trays. How many have been drouled, sneezed, and coughed on. It is the perfect breeding ground for sorts of stuff.

They also did a study of the ice on airplanes and how many germs it contains. Lets just say ....stay away from the ice. If you think you will need a drink buy a bottle of soda before getting on the plan. This way you have a drink that has a cap and can be sealed and you won't need to use the lap tray to hold your drink.

As soon as we get off the plan we wash our hands. We also use purell during the flight.

As soon as we check in to our hotel, the remote goes into a ziplock bag. After seeing the Youtube video of the guy who put the remote in the crack of his bare bottom and tried to change the channel, I will never ever touch a hotel remote!

 

[Hannathy]

Sometime ago our TV station did a report on germs on the lap trays on planes. Ever since then we never never never touch those trays. YUCK. Think about it. Between flights there is not enought time for the airlines to clean ever tray on the plane. Think of how many hands though out the day that touch those trays. How many have been drouled, sneezed, and coughed on. It is the perfect breeding ground for sorts of stuff.

They also did a study of the ice on airplanes and how many germs it contains. Lets just say ....stay away from the ice. If you think you will need a drink buy a bottle of soda before getting on the plan. This way you have a drink that has a cap and can be sealed and you won't need to use the lap tray to hold your drink.

As soon as we get off the plan we wash our hands. We also use purell during the flight.

As soon as we check in to our hotel, the remote goes into a ziplock bag. After seeing the Youtube video of the guy who put the remote in the crack of his bare bottom and tried to change the channel, I will never ever touch a hotel remote!

Well I would like to reassure everyone that you can touch all 3 of your danger zones and live.

My DS when he was a toddler and we flew a lot and he loved to play with the ice on the plane and guess where he played with it? Yep on the tray and I'm sure he ate quite a few along the way! When he was a baby in the room on more than a few occasions he chewed on the remote, of course while crawling on the floor and sleeping on the bedspread and in some places not as nice as Disney.

He is 12 now.

The germs that are being killed by all the hand sanitizers and wipes are the good germs we need to build immune systems (good germs are easier to kill than bad ones). those percentages that they say they don't kill are you guessed it the ones you really wanted to kill and still aren't. It is a false sense of security and just allowing the super germs to gain strength. I really feel sorry for some of these kids when they get older and there are no more medications left to kill the infections because we have allowed the bad germs to get so strong. It is scarily close to that now in hospitals.(flesh eating bacteria anyone)

 

[snowy76]

There is NO bleach smell to a clorox wipe. At least not the ones I buy. In fact, looking at the cannister they are called a disenfecting wipe...which I'm pretty sure is the same as a lysol antibacterial wipe.

I'm not going to go back and forth on this anymore

I think the PP was referring to the perfume they put in the wipes rather than a bleach smell (Clorox wipes actually have no bleach in them). We use them at home, but those things can be strong. If I wipe down the powder room for too long (enclosed space) I get a headache from them. I get migraines from certain colognes too. There are some hand lotions I can't even use because my sinuses will swell from the scent.

That being said, I don't think odors will linger long from one wipe used for a couple of swipes on armrests.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

See goes to show you how many germs are on that tray from drouling kids. All the more reason not to touch those germy trays

 

[disfan07]

I'm also immunosuppresed plus severe asthma (slightest cold can cause an asthma attack) and cardiac problems and I will say that I have never done anythign here that has been mentioned in teh way of avoiding germs EXCEPT for wiping down the tray table, armrests, etc but that is only because I am severely allergic to peanuts and I dont use any of the clorox or antibacterial wipes. Just normal wipes.

Personally, I think its overkill. And YES some wipes do have perfume smells and ALL sprays can cause asthma problems. Believe me, i have unfortunately experienced asthma symptoms from both. So please, do what you think is best for your family, but be courteous to everyone else around you and limit what you use adn please do not use sprays of any type in public places.

 

[Evi]

I have allergies and asthma and yes I wipe down the trays and armrest but that's about it. My bigger issue is people who douse themselves in perfume before flying or going to the theater I've actually had to leave a Broadway show because of an asthma flare up because someone else couldn't take a bath.

 

[maxiesmom]

As soon as we check in to our hotel, the remote goes into a ziplock bag. After seeing the Youtube video of the guy who put the remote in the crack of his bare bottom and tried to change the channel, I will never ever touch a hotel remote!

That does it. I am adding one baggie for the remote to my next packing list.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I have been a busy business traveller and I very rarely get sick. I hardly ever use hand sanitizer I don't really care for it.

I would recomend the following to avoid getting sick:

- Eating probiotic yoghurt or supplement so that you have the right flora in your stomach, start a few weeks before traveling for the whole family.
- Boosting the intake of fresh fruits and veggies and getting a lot of natural antioxidants and vitamins a few weeks before travel. Lets face it most people don't get enough or eat properly. This will help the body fight off germs. I'd rather see a parent give their child an orange to eat than more hand sanitizer, it would be more helpful.
- Get lots of rest before your vacation, a bug will take hold much better if the body is tired and run down.
- Teach everyone proper hand washing
- Relax a little - our bodies were designed to fight off germs they are all around us all the time - no place is really better or worse than anywhere else

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks, Summer. These are good tips.
I don't understand when trying to prevent the spread of germs became such a bad thing. My husband is immunosuppressed and my son likes to touch everything then his face or put his hands in his mouth. Also he is homeschooled so he's not around alot of people being exposed to different germs. This will be our first time to fly so this is why I'm asking for tips. No, I'm not going to spray everyone down on the plane with lysol , but I do believe in hand sanitizer and Germ X wipes.

Having immune issues is a slightly different matter. Naturally you are going to want to go a bit further than usual to wipe things down. As far as your homeschooled child goes...it will really be better in the long run if he is allowed to pick up some germs along the way. Just about every doctor will tell you that many of the respiratory issues we have today are due to kids being kept in overly clean places. But..that is your call, not mine.

It's NOT a bad thing. It just so happens that on the internet, some people will just say ANYTHING to be argumentative with others. Unfortunate, but true!

NO....this is simply not the case. Why is it that those who agree are being so nice and pleasant, but anyone with a differing opinion is being argumentative or nasty? No one here has been argumentative. This is a 'discussion' board..everyone is entitled to their opinions, as long as they are stated politely. And everyone has adhered to that ruling so far.


People...if you feel the need to wipe things down, have at it. That is your choice. It's not a bad idea to wipe down the tray tables as well as the arm rests and any tv/radio buttons. And don't forget the seat belt thingie.
When you get to your room, go ahead and wipe stuff down there as well.
But remember to make frequent stops in restrooms inside the parks. The germs to be found in the parks, on railings and attractions, are incredible. People tend to forget about those places and don't make enough handwashing stops during the day.

IF you choose to not do any of those things, then that's your choice as well. There is no wrong or right here.

Remember, one person's choices should not impact someone else's needs. So, before you go swiping everything in sight, remember there are those out there who have allergies to some cleaning products. Be careful when using them out in public.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Trying to keep yourself healthy by wiping down your personal space on the airplane with a cleaning wipe is hardly having no regard for anyone else. In fact, I think most airlines would tell you to do it. Your statement makes it sound as if I poured a bottle of bleach on my tray. There is NO bleach smell to a clorox wipe. At least not the ones I buy. In fact, looking at the cannister they are called a disenfecting wipe...which I'm pretty sure is the same as a lysol antibacterial wipe.

I'm not going to go back and forth on this anymore

Actually there is no bleach in the Clorox wipes, just read the tiny print on the package.

You say your son ins homeschooled and not exposed to others germs, that is a bad thing right there, because he won't develop the necessary resistance to outside immunities he needs. Then adding the anti bacterial gel and Lysol on top of that and he is almost doomed.

I work in a hospital and they push hand washing as the #1 only way to kill germs, the only reason to use the sanitizing gel is if soap and water aren't available. I never use those sanitizing gels, as the alcohol aggravates my sinuses and drys out my hands and I am hardly ever sick, if I am it is related to my sinus/allergies.

 

[NotUrsula]

Lysol has a travel size that fits into the 3-1-1 category. I've never had a problem bringing it in my carry on or checked luggage. You can get it in the travel size bins at Walmart.

Just because Lysol markets it as travel-sized does not mean that it is allowed. Putting it in a 3-1-1 baggie makes no difference; if it is seen, TSO's have a duty to confiscate it. Lysol aerosol was actually on the FAA banned list before 9-11, right up there with spray paint, and for the same reason. It is highly flammable under pressure and it is temperature-sensitive.

If you must carry it, carry the wipes. Personally I don't find antibacterial anything "essential" for any purpose other than combating DS' acne. I just wash my hands frequently with regular soap, and so do my kids. I don't have hand-sanitizer anywhere in my home -- why would I need it in a home with indoor plumbing?

 

[Ariel on Land]

Now, I'm just posting this not from doing it or having any experience, so I take no credit, but I remember reading on another DIS thread regarding this topic that taking a qtip and swabbing the inside of your nose w/ some vaseline helps keep your nose moist because the dry plane air makes it easier for germs to get up there, also it's a bit of a physical barrier keeping them from getting "in." as well. Sounds logical to me... We'll probably give it a shot for this trip!

And I understand the whole building up immunity bit, but like the OP, and others on here, my DS's asthma is triggered by the teensiest, tiniest, little cold virus, so I do go out of my way a bit to wipe things down. But I try my best to mostly rely on good old hand washing w/ plain soap and water. However, when you're stuck on a plane for over two hours, or similar situations, hand sanitizer is the next best option!

Good luck everyone- Hope you all have illness free trips!

 

[maxiesmom]

And I understand the whole building up immunity bit, but like the OP, and others on here, my DS's asthma is triggered by the teensiest, tiniest, little cold virus, so I do go out of my way a bit to wipe things down. But I try my best to mostly rely on good old hand washing w/ plain soap and water. However, when you're stuck on a plane for over two hours, or similar situations, hand sanitizer is the next best option!

I think most people can understand that the OP wants to keep her family from getting sick. But she needs to go about doing that in a manner that is respctful of the other people on the airplane. A few of which probably have asthma (like me) that would be set off from the smell of strong cleaning chemicals.

It is hard in an enclosed environment. You have to do what you think you need to do for your family, but be mindful that those around you can't move away from whatever scents you are unleashing.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's the issue with germs and planes..no amount of hand sanitizer or wiping of trays is going to do diddly. Why? A ton of cold germs are spread via the air. If someone two rows behind you sneezes and doesn't cover his mouth well enough, well, those germs are now flying through the air.
There are going to be germs in a ton of places...seat backs, door handles, all hard surfaces.
So, sure....do all that you can do in order to keep your family healthy. But, understand there is no surefire way to be absolutely sure no germs are being touched. And once you get to WDW??? Oh man....there's just no way to avoid germs. You have to be sure your kids keep their hands away from their faces...period. Lots of hand washing.

It's those hands rubbing their eyes, or doing the kid thing with their noses...all become a highway of germs into mucus membranes. Keeping hands away from the face is the best way to prevent germs. If you have a child that is really susceptable, then perhaps a good face mask might be the best idea.