La Crosse, WI....Should airline pillows carry the warning "Caution: May be hazardous to your health?"
There is compelling evidence that travelers may risk illness when they rest their head on airplane pillows.
Pointing out that most airlines don't clean or replace pillows until the end of the day, the Wall Street Journal notes that during the flu season "healthy fliers are likely to be sharing pillows ? and germs ? with sick passengers from earlier flights."
Dr. Bradley Connor, medical director of Travel Health Services, a New York clinic specializing in travel-related illnesses concurs: "Let's face it, using a pillow can be a risk," he says.
It's a year-round concern, with more than the flu season, colds or other germs to worry about; health authorities warn that airline pillows and pillow covers can also harbor fungi and lice. As one travel expert put it, you could be playing "cleanliness roulette."
A prudent precaution is to carry your own travel pillow, says Rick Williams, a comfort expert with The Company Store, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality down pillows, comforters and featherbeds.
As for the actual quality of those small airline pillows, Williams noted that at least two major U.S. carriers throw out their pillows at the end of each day.
The Company Store's generous-size (16X20") top-quality European polar white goose down travel pillow rolls up compactly, secures with attached ties and fits easily in a briefcase or carry-on. Unroll, and the pillow instantly puffs back into fluffy shape, providing peace of mind, as well as superior support and comfort, during the flight.
A thoughtful gift for any traveler. On sale from The Company Store for only $34.99 (until March 15). Matching imported 100% cotton pillow covers, in a choice of four restful colors, are on sale for $8.99 (until March 15). Call (toll-free) 1-800-285-3696. Or visit thecompanystore.com
The Company Store is a leading home furnishings and home fashions company, and a manufacturer of quality down products, which it markets, along with related brand-name products, through direct mail catalogs and the Internet.
The Company Store is part of the Hanover Brands division of Hanover Direct, Inc. (AMEX:HNV), a leading specialty direct marketer of branded merchandise to consumers through a portfolio of catalog and e-commerce platforms.
CONTACT:
Sanford Teller
Rick Williams
SANFORD TELLER COMMUNICATIONS
1365 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 717-0332
THE COMPANY STORE
500 Company Store Road
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
thecompanystore.com
(201) 272-3206
Your use of this site signifies your agreement to its terms.
©1998-2000 Hanover Direct, Inc.