Although Britain is undoubtedly a very pretty and green and pleasant land, it doesn’t quite have the same allure as the Florida’s, Greece’s and Spain’s of this world. Indeed, most people who feel in need of a holiday will fly off to the Mediterranean or Caribbean if these locales will enable them to take full advantage of the one thing Britain so conspicuously lacks – guaranteed sunshine. Certainly, there is no better way to take a break from the daily hustle and bustle of modern life than to spend a week or two relaxing by a sun-drenched swimming pool or catching some rays on a picture-perfect beach. Travel is the best way to get relax.
A degree of caution
Whilst foreign holidays afford tourists the opportunity to take some well-deserved time out in sunnier climes, they shouldn’t be regarded as one-way tickets to paradise. Indeed, it is actually the case that most Brits’ odds of becoming unwell or getting injured actually increase when they leave the safe confines of Blighty and jet off overseas. This is because most people (although not all) are likely to drink more alcohol, spend longer in the sunshine, consume stomach-upsetting foods, and take part in dubious physical activities (such as riding on water-based inflatables) when they go on holiday abroad.
Being prepared
Although being sensible (drinking responsibly, applying plenty of sunblock) and maintaining a heightened sense of awareness (buying bottled water, checking safety certificates) is far and away the best way to reduce the odds of becoming injured or unwell on holiday, it is simply not possible to avoid all possible hazards. However, conscientious holidaymakers can do the next best thing – be prepared. This basically involves adopting a ‘what cannot be prevented can be mitigated’ mind-set and ensuring a suitably stocked travel first aid kit is always within relatively easy reach. Knowing that they are equipped to deal with a good selection of common holiday maladies can not only provide holidaymakers with great peace of mind, it can also help to save them money that might otherwise need to be spent on local doctors/pharmacies.
Making a purchase
Although it is tempting for holidaymakers to think “I’ll just buy a token first aid kit from the petrol station down the road on the day I leave”, the purchase of a first aid kit is not something that should be left until the last minute. Buying a decent, travel-specific first aid kit a few days or weeks in advance is undoubtedly the best way forward in this respect as it will give travellers time to become familiar with all the items in their kit and afford them opportunities to learn how to use them properly. The great thing about commercially available traveller’s first aid kits is that they are typically designed to help individuals travelling to/within developing countries. This means that they are comprehensively stocked with a wide assortment of essential first aid items, with everything from alcohol free wipes and microporous tape to waterproof plasters and sterile syringes coming as standard.