Unpacking a suitcase on the bed is likely to be most people’s first port of call when it comes to getting their house in order following a holiday but Brits have been warned against it
British tourists have been issued a stern warning to avoid unpacking their luggage in their bedroom upon returning from a holiday, due to the potential of introducing unwanted guests. Many travellers are eager to restore order to their homes after a getaway and often consider emptying their suitcase on the bed as the most convenient method to sort their items.
However, MattressNextDay has cautioned Brits against this common practice to prevent inadvertently importing stowaways. Mattress expert and CEO Martin Seeley emphasised the danger of bringing bed bugs into one’s bed by unpacking in the bedroom. “Unpack on a hard floor and not in your bedroom,” he advised.
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“When you get home, unpack your luggage in another location apart from your bedroom. Even better if it’s on hard flooring, as you won’t be able to spot bed bugs on a carpet.
“Inspect your suitcase closely and use a flashlight or torch to look into the seams, folds and pockets of your suitcase.”
He further recommended that people should vacuum clean their suitcase before storing it away. The risk he highlighted was that bed bugs could reside within the luggage and subsequently transfer to the bed, curtains, or other plush furnishings.
Tourists might unknowingly invite pests into their luggage if they’re not careful upon arriving at their lodgings. Travel expert Martin warned: “Never put your suitcase on the hotel bed.
“It is common that when you initially arrive at your hotel, you might put your suitcase straight onto the bed without checking for bugs and begin unpacking.
“However, by doing this, you’re putting your luggage and clothes right onto the place where bed bugs are commonly found and giving them a free ticket home.”
He advises holiday-goers to place their suitcases near the room’s entrance or on the provided luggage rack.
The NHS cautions that bedbugs can lurk in numerous hiding spots such as within clothing, behind framed pictures, and beneath peeling wallpaper. To spot these unwelcome visitors, there are several tell-tale signs to watch out for.