Ten Top Tips - What to pack

EX4

A fabric spray which repels mosquitos , ticks and bugs and can survive 35 washes. Treat fabrics before leaving for your trip.

DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-tolumide)

DEET has been in use as an insect repellent for around 50 years and it is available in different concentrations ranging from 20% to 100%. The duration of protection varies depending on the concentration chosen. 20% DEET will give protection for between 1 & 3 hours, 30% DEET can last up to 6 hours and 50% can last up to 12 hours. There is no added protection over 50% DEET.

SUNSCREEN first, then apply insect repellent.  The only protection at the moment against Dengue Fever is insect repellents and clothing sprays.

SUN HAT - Slip , slop,slap as the Australians say slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen and slap on a Sun hat

Microfibre Travel towel, big enough to use as a sarong if sharing bathrooms.

WHIZZ - what every woman needs!  Whether stuck on the M25 or facing revolting toilets!  As recommended by the Nurses at The Travel Clinic Ltd!

Vaccinate or learn how to protect yourself.

Malaria tablets if needed. Check out www.malariahotspots.co.uk   or   http://www.nathnac.org 

Diarrhoea treatment – Consider oral rehydration salts or a short course of ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic for first line treatment of diarrhoea).

Medical kit sterile needles and syringes if travelling away from reliable medical care.

LOCATE  - The Foreign Office says :  What are the benefits of registering with Locate? If a major catastrophe occurs or if family and friends need to get in touch with you, The Foreign Office can help with Locate.  It only takes a few minutes to register your travel or residence information online and the local British Embassy will know you are coming. You only need to register for the service once and then update your account when you make a new trip abroad or change your country of residence.