HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: A month ago, my girlfriend and I went on a trip to a foreign country, and while we had a nice time, we noticed that on the way home, both of our heads seemed to itch. It didn’t take long to discover that we had picked up head lice!

While telling friends about our unfortunate discovery, we found out that some of them had unexpectedly taken home spiders and even a scorpion in their luggage. I used to laugh at my grandmother, who would look all over a hotel/motel room, behind the curtains, pull back the covers on the bed, etc., but now I understand why she did what she did. It never hurts to examine a room with more care. — Victor D., Hempstead, N.Y.

DEAR READER: Victor, here are some suggestions for when you travel overseas:

When you first get to a hotel, put your luggage (still packed) in the bathroom while you check your room.

Don’t forget to lift the mattress and look under there, and be sure to check for bugs, especially at the head of the bed.

Check the sheets by pulling back the bedcovers.

Place your luggage on a luggage rack, up off the floor. You might even want to pack those very large plastic bags and keep your luggage in those.

When you return home, wash all whites in hot water with half a cup of bleach. Tumble everything in a hot dryer to make sure you kill any would-be travelers.

DEAR HELOISE: I’ve been a travel agent for nearly 20 years, and I can tell you that the benefits of travel in reducing stress and making life more exciting are huge. Many of the benefits are intangible, but still are well worth the effort to take a trip somewhere new. It’s no secret that Americans take very little time off from work when compared with other countries, such as France, Finland and Spain. Life is short, and all of us need time to relax and rejuvenate.

— Helen M., Tulsa, Okla.

DEAR HELOISE: In my job, I have to make calls on clients in their homes, so I carry 4-by-6-inch index cards with me to leave messages for people to let them know I was there, and when and how to contact me. The index cards are cheap and have much more room than the back of a business card (which I also leave) so I can leave messages.

— Corrine T., Indiana