To Your Comfort, Health on Road
Traveling healthy is easier thanks to a variety of new products that address every threats from broken dentures to dirty pillows.
The following is a selection of items that should make those in need feel more confident on the go. Prices do not include shipping and handling. Some items may be available at area stores.
Pillow protector: The next time you lay your head down to sleep on a hotel pillow, consider this: Even if the pillow case is clean, the pillow underneath is unlikely to be so, and germs can seep through the pillowcase for you to breathe. And we won’t even get into those scruffy looking airplane pillows that get new covers only whenever someone gets around to it.
Before you turn green at the thought of all this, here’s the good news. The Pillow Protector from Lifeline Orthopedic Products is a cotton-like synthetic zippered pillowcase treated with an antibacterial, hypoallergenic solution that counters the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi.
The antibacterial material does not wash out, and the case has no unusual smell or texture. It travels handily in its own self-sealing storage bag.
The Pillow Protector is $3.60 in standard size, $3.95 queen, and $4.10 king from the manufacturer; telephone (800) 448-1872.
Inflatable potty: Say nature calls while you and the kids are on the open road with no rest stop in sight. Or while you’re camping and you’d rather not to go into the woods. No problem. The Inflate-a-Potty is, as the name implies, an instant toilet that is ready when you are. The pocket-size (when deflated) pack inflates in seconds and uses disposable kitchen trash bags as liners. Available in adult (to 200 pounds) and children’s sizes, the potty comes in a draw-string storage pouch with six disposable bags and ties.
Inflate-a-Potty in adult size (28118) is $19.95 from International Auto Sport; tel. (800) 726- 1199. Child size (4958) is $14.95 from One Step Ahead; tel. (800) 274-8440.
Denture Rx: Denture wearers can be in serious trouble if the equipment breaks with no repair source close at hand. The Den-Sure Denture Repair Kit for travelers allows you to repair your own dentures, from simple to compound fractures, and replace broken or missing teeth.
The small kit, which measures 5 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch, contains illustrated step-by-step instructions, and materials for 12 repairs, including 12 replacement teeth, a file and tooth extractor, an eyedropper, sanding abrasive, and denture acrylic resins and bonding adhesives. This won’t replace your dentist, but is a good temporary quick fix in a pinch.
Denture Repair Kit (KR507D) is $16.85 from Magellan’s; tel. (800) 962-4943.
Diabetic aide: For insulin-dependent diabetics, travel can be fraught with complications and even danger. Keeping insulin safely chilled in transit and maintaining a steady, well-organized supply of needles, cotton swabs, pills and other accouterments can be problematic. Not with the DIA-PAK from Atwater-Carey, a leading manufacturer of quality first-aid kits. The DIA-PAK is a 6-inch-by-8-inch-by-2 1/2-inch zippered nylon travel pack for diabetics, and is designed to hold two weeks of supplies in one organized place. the pack includes two refreezeable cold gel packs to keep insulin cool, loads of pockets and pouches for storing your supplies, and a heavy-duty shoulder strap. A friend who is diabetic tried out the DIA-PAK on a trip, and he came back with glowing reviews.
DIA-PAK (item KF505) is $36.50 from Magellan’s; tel. (800) 962-4943.
Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.