Health Tips for COVID-Safe Road Trips
Is a road trip in your future? Planning road trips these days isn’t just about which route to take, where to stop, and where to stay overnight. It also involves taking precautions to project yourself and your family from COVID-19. Even if you’re vaccinated, it can be helpful to wear masks when indoors or in crowded areas, and to use cleaning products, such as hand wipes and disinfecting wipes.
Healthy Travel Starts With CLEAN™
If you’re making plans to take to the open road, you are certainly not alone. According to a recent Bridgestone Americas survey of 1,000 respondents quoted by the New York Times, more than half plan to vacation by car this summer, and 80% of them feel safer in a car than on a plane.
More people on the road means more people making pit stops, fueling up, and booking overnight stays in hotels, motels, and hostels. There’s already a shortage of car rentals available (those in the industry are calling it a “carpocalypse”) due to this year’s surge in demand, while car rental companies are still trying to right-size after selling off much of their fleets during the height of the pandemic in the U.S.
All of this means that when it’s your turn to pull up to the gas pump, swipe the key card to your hotel room, or slide behind the wheel of that rented ride, countless others have already done so — possibly leaving behind bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19.
And while businesses are still trying to maintain the higher standards of cleanliness we all have come to expect during the pandemic, many are struggling with fewer employees and depleted resources.
However, this doesn’t mean you should forgo your trip! On the contrary, by taking matters into your own hands — and taking along plenty of Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes and Nice ’N CLEAN® Hand Wipes — you’ll be able to rest easier knowing that everyone on your road trip is better protected!
We’ve all been indoors so long, we might be out of practice when it comes to recognizing high-traffic touch areas that always need attention. Here are a couple of road travel tips to help you get in the habit!
Filling up your tank
If plastic gloves are available, be sure to use them and throw them away afterward. But if they’re not, before you get started, take a little time to wipe down the keypad, pump handle, and anywhere else you touch on the gas pump with Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes, and allow them to dry thoroughly before use. These one-step cleaning, sanitizing, deodorizing, and disinfecting wipes kill 99.9% of the COVID-19 virusɸ in 3 minutes, and are proven to kill viruses [1] and bacteria [2] 25% faster than leading brands (3 minutes vs. 4 minutes). And don’t forget to always follow up by wiping your hands with a Nice ’N CLEAN® Sani-Hands® Hand Wipe before getting back in the car. All used wet wipes should be thrown away in a trash can.
Taking bathroom breaks
Be prepared for any road trip bathroom breaks with travel packs of Nice ’N CLEAN® Flushable Wipes. The 16-count portable packs are convenient to take and use anywhere so you can always have a refreshing and soothing restroom experience no matter where you are. Also be sure to have Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes on hand to wipe off door handles, faucet handles, and the toilet seat (if seat covers aren’t available).
Navigating diaper changes on the road
If you’re traveling with a baby, make sure to pack plenty of Nice ’N CLEAN® Baby Wipes in your diaper bag so you don’t get caught empty handed during a diaper blowout on the road. During a road trip, you have two main options for diaper changes: in your vehicle or in a public restroom. If you choose a restroom at a rest area or gas station, be sure to wipe off the changing table with a Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipe and allow the surface to air dry before placing your child on the table.
LEARN MORE: Flushable Wet Wipes vs. Toilet Paper: Which is Better?
Snacking on-the-go
Whether it’s snacks in the car or meal stops along your route, food plays a vital part during road trips. Pre-moistened Nice ’N CLEAN® Sani-Hands® Hand Wipes are perfect before and after you eat. They kill and remove 99% of bacteria [3] on hands, and are more effective than gel sanitizers because they also wipe away dirt and grime (as well as the sticky ice cream drips and the yummy artificially bright orange residue from your favorite chips).
Did you spill your coffee when hitting a pothole during a sip? Did your toddler decorate your windows with sticky handprints? Good thing you also packed Nice 'N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes, which are perfect for cleaning up messes and spills on hard, nonporous surfaces.
LEARN MORE: Skin-Friendly Wet Wipes: Learn Which Types Are Safe
Enjoy your Nice and Clean Ride
We all seem to have a little wanderlust after months of social distancing and staying home. The trick to traveling now is to plan ahead, be responsible, and travel smarter. As you head on down the highway, remember that healthy travel starts with CLEAN™ so don’t forget your Nice 'N CLEAN® Wipes.
References
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/travel/summer-travel-road-trip.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/travel/rental-car-shortage.html
- https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/possible-carpocalypse-predicted-in-chicago-as-summer-travel-begins/2292040/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/summer-road-trip-covid-advice/
- https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/covid-road-trip-holidays-wellness/index.html
