February 2010 - We are pleased to welcome Terry Dent, MSP Hotel Committee Chair, as the newly appointed MEC Hotel Committee Vice Chair
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Sleeping with the Devil"
By Terry Dent, MSP AFA Hotel Committee Chair
Bed bugs!! Just two little words that will make you want to start scratching all over.
Well folks, put the mittens on because they are not only a fact of our job but increasing
in incidents reported worldwide. At a recent Flight Attendant Hotel Committee Conference, bed bug guru, Richard Cooper, gave us the dark and dirty low down on these pests.
The last ten years these bugs have become a major issue and it doesn't just happen in "dirty hotels". They're infesting dorm rooms, senior centers, buses, rental furniture, schools, major corporation offices and 5 star hotels. These bugs are blood feeders and come out at night when it is dark and you are nice and snuggled into your "Heavenly" layover bed.
Bed bugs are small, nocturnal bugs that are only 1/2 inch long and can range in color from translucent freshly hatched nymphs, to a brownish-red adult. And you won't even feel a thing until the next day or even up to 11 days after being bitten when you notice welts on your body.
You may think it is a spider, flea or mosquito bite, even poison ivy. Some people don't even show signs of being bitten by these little devils. Depending on the severity of bites and secondary infections, bed bug bites could lead to disfiguring scarring and emotional distress.
An interesting fact: bed bugs don't transmit any diseases or pose a severe medical threat like a mosquito bite which could lead to Malaria or West Nile Virus.
If you are on a layover and want to check for bed bugs in your room, pull back the mattress pad and look for any kind of dark rust colored pin drop (dried blood) on the mattress or around the mattress seams. If you suspect bugs, call the hotel front desk immediately and request another room that isn't next to, above or below the suspected room. Other things you can to do prevent taking these bugs to your next layover or even worse, your home, are these tips. Never place your luggage on the carpet, the extra bed or any upholstered furniture. Use the luggage rack as the bugs can't climb the smooth surface of the legs to hitch a ride to your next destination.
If you do happen to get bitten, take pictures, even with your cell phone; file an OJI Report to document the bites in case it becomes a serious issue and file a Flight Attendant Hotel Report Online Form a http://www.afahotels.org. It's easy to fill out and can be used for any hotel issue. If you'd like more info on bed bugs which isn't just limited to hotels, go to http://www.bedbugcentral.com .
So folks, as you are getting comfy and cozy in your "Heavenly" layover hotel bed, remember what your mother probably once told you - "sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite".