Holiday A-Z essentials

Shockingly, more Irish people died abroad last year than ever before. “Accidents happen regularly on the road, in the water and on hotel balconies, so stay safety conscious,” says Dr Richard Dawood, specialist in travel medicine (www. fleetstreetclinic.com).

“Handy in case you catch too much sun,” says Dr Andrew Thornber, Chief Medical Officer at Now Patient (nowpatient.com). “It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients to help repair skin.” Almost all of us make risky hygiene mistakes with the barbie, according to a survey by The Food Standards Agency. Make sure meat is cooked through, and use separate tongs for raw and cooked meats.

CListen carefully to the onboard safety drill (you don’t want to be re-enacting panicky scenes from Titanic in an emergency!).

And Ashley Kosciolek, Editor of Cruise Critic, says: “The number one way to avoid getting norovirus or other illnesses is to thoroughly wash your hands before you eat, after you use the restroom and after touching railings or slot machines.”

Sitting around in a wet swimsuit increases your chances of getting cystitis, warns Dr Malwina Naghibi, Medical Adviser at Protexin Healthcare. “To protect yourself, drink two litres of water each day to help flush out any harmful bacteria regularly.”

D“DVTS are a risk on all flights,” warns Professor Mark Whiteley from The Whiteley Clinic. “Concentrated blood, caused by dehydration, coupled with prolonged inactivity will heighten the risk.

“Moving the legs and walking up and down the aisle will help pump blood up the veins, which reduces the risk.” “Wean yourself off tech gadgets,” advises Fabio Passalacqua, Director at Hotelscan.com. “Forget Facebook and live in the moment.” Check local rules and regulations before you travel. For instance, it may be compulsory to have your licence with you or display an EIR or IRL sticker. Check with the AA or RAC.

EValid European Health Insurance Cards give you state-run medical treatment in EU countries (and a few others) for the same price as a local. But, according to Pack your trainers to offset holiday eating with exercise. Go sightseeing on foot or by bike, suggests Paul Joseph, co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel (healthand fitnesstravel.com). “Beware the salads in hotels, which will have been washed with tap water,” says Tom Bourlet, of travel blog spaghettitraveller.com. “And say no to ice unless you make your own from bottled water.”

Studies show that live bacteria supplements, such as Bio-kult Multi-strain formula (bio-kult.com), can prevent and manage travellers’ diarrhoea.

HPerfect for keeping your hands clean and

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is for ...Accidents