We have been looking after the health and safety of
caravanners, campers and mariners for over 85 years.
We are passionate about the outdoor life and the benefits
it can bring to us all.
That is why we have prepared this section with a few
helpful tips and contacts.
We hope it will enable you to enjoy a safe, relaxed time
away and avoid some of the problems and aggravations
that can so easily mar your trip.
Don't forget that safety should always be your first
priority, and there is no substitute for checking relevant
handbooks and manuals.

To ensure that your caravan is correctly loaded, secure the
heaviest items over the axle. follow up with medium
weights and then the lightest ones at the edge.

To avoid damp electrics on your car, park it with the
engine sheltered from the wind by your caravan.

Always ensure all lights and indicators are working
properly before you leave. Check the flasher rate is
correct...60 to 100 times a minute.

To avoid potential problems with your caravan on
holiday, take it, fully loaded if possible, on a short test
drive shortly before your trip. It's the best way to check
that everything is in working order.

If you want to take along a plant to cheer up the caravan,
choose an aloe vera plant which will come in useful if you
suffer from insect bites or sunburn. Just snip off a leaf and
apply the soothing gel inside to the affected area.

To ensure pure drinking water without the taste or smell
of chlorine, add a little Elsil to your drinking water tank
which will keep it safe for months at a time. You can also
use Elsil to sterilise your tank.

To ensure a constant electricity supply in the caravan,
take a lead with you to run the supply from the car
battery, in case the caravan battery should fail.

Don't let your toilet spread disease and ruin your holiday.
Make sure you use a quality toilet sanitiser such as
Elsan. Although you may find some cheap products on
the market, they are invariably weaker and less effective,
so without frequent recharging they could cause your
toilet to smell and become a danger to health. Buying for
less could in this case, cost you more.

Don't forget to take a torch and to check the batteries.

Having a picnic outside? To stop the wind carrying your
table cloth away, use clothes pegs.

To clean your hands without water after those messy
jobs around the caravan or car, rub a little Elsan 'Clean,
Safe & Dry' hand sanitiser around your hands and wipe
clean with a cloth or paper towel.

If you are thinking of buying a motorhome, try hiring one
first, similar to the model you are considering. The initial
outlay could save you from making a costly mistake.

If you think you will be using your new motorhome
abroad more often than at home you may be better off
buying a left hand drive model.

If you have to jack up your vehicle on soft ground, rest
the jack on a board to help stop it sinking under
the weight.

To extract your bogged down caravan from a muddy site,
carry lengths of old carpet that you can place under the
driving wheels. Use second gear and with the revs low,
steer ahead in a straight line.

To prevent the light fading the interior fabrics, screen the
windows when the caravan is not in use.

To sanitise your toilet with the minimum of fuss and
mess, use Elsan Blue bags. There is no measuring or
pouring. You just drop the sachets into the tank and they
dissolve completely on contact with the water.

Be prepared for emergencies. Always take a first aid kit
and keep it up to date. Carry remedies for
day to day ailments such as pain killers, cough
medicines, indigestion tablets etc. as well as plasters,
tweezers, an unbreakable thermometer, scissors and a
first aid manual. Be sure to keep it out of the reach of
children.

To rid your Vacuum flask or water carrier of stale smells,
fill it with water mixed with Elsan Fresh Water Tank
Clean. Allow to soak, rinse thorougly and drain.

When fetching water, take two small water carriers rather
than one large one which, when full, will be very heavy to
lug around. The weight will be balanced and even
children may be able to help share the task.

To avoid food contamination, never store cooked food
under raw food which may drip blood.

To eliminate lingering cooking smells and other odours in
the caravan or cabin, spray a little Elsan anti-bacterial air
freshener. It's ideal for use in confined spaces and the
small bottle takes up next to no room when stored.

Keep kitchen work tops clean and hygienic by spraying
with Elsan anti-bacterial surface cleaner.
Use it also in toilets and wherever good hygiene is vital.

Prepare the caravan for winter. Flush water systems with
Elsil, then drain thoroughly and check any areas where
water may still be trapped such as taps and shower
heads.

If your fridge has been turned off with the door closed, get
rid of that stale smell by spraying the inside with Elsan
anti-bacterial surface spray and wiping clean with a cloth.

When choosing a sleeping bag, remember that a down
filled one is warmer and lighter to carry when dry, but one
containing synthetic fibres costs less, is easier to wash,
dries out more quickly and should be warm enough for
most occasions.

When packing, always keep the kettle, tea, coffee, milk
and stove where it is most accessible.

Never pitch your tent at the bottom on a dried stream bed.
If heavy rain arrives, so may the stream. Make sure your
site is level and well drained.

When camping away from mains water, make sure that
the water you drink is free of bacteria and viruses and
pack a small bottle of Elsil. A few drops will ensure that
the micro-organisms are destroyed.

Make your matches waterproof with candle wax. Scrape
off the wax before striking.

To prevent body heat loss in cold conditions, wear a hat.
Never wait until you feel cold before putting on warm,
windproof clothing. Keep dry and find shelter from cold
winds.

If walking in a group around unfamiliar territory, always
stick together. Ensure the first person along the trail waits
for the others at a junction before moving on or changing
direction.

If in any doubt about your ability to wade across a fast
flowing stream...don't! You'd be surprised how quickly a
strong current could sweep you away.

If you get caught in a lightning storm stay away from
isolated trees, masts, high exposed ground and the
bottom of cliffs. Keep a good distance from metal objects
and remember that areas of water can also conduct
electricity. Shelter in low ground, ideally in a dip. Crouch
rather than lie to minimise contact with the ground and if
possible, insulate your body by putting a foam or rubber
sheet underneath.

Break in your new walking boots gradually before your
first long walk.

If you get your walking shoes wet, don't put them in front
of the fire as it will make them hard and uncomfortable to
wear. Instead, stuff them with newspaper and put them in
a well ventilated area to let them dry out.

In case you run into trouble whilst sailing, climbing or on a
remote walking or camping trip, tell someone where you
are going and when you expect to return. It will help the
authorities to organise a search.

Thinking of buying your first boat? Don't just consider the
purchase price, take into account all potential expenses
such as maintenance, insurance, spares and winter care
and storage.

Never operate a boat whilst under the influence of alcohol.
One third of all boating accidents are alcohol related. As
it enters the blood stream, alcohol impairs judgement,
coordination, vision, and sense of balance as well as
slowing reaction time and increasing susceptibility to
hypothermia.

Make sure that safety on board is your first priority: Never
overload your boat and ensure you carry all the
necessary safety apparatus, keeping life saving
equipment visible and easy to access. Always check the
weather forecast. Stay safe by wearing life jackets
whenever necessary and if you can't swim...learn.

In case your propeller should encounter weed or a rope,
carry a mask, flippers and a sharp knife.

To avoid the risk of spilling chemical whilst charging your
toilet in a rough sea, use Elsan Blue Bags. There is no
measuring or pouring. Simply drop the sachet into the
tank and it dissolves completely on contact with the water.
Elsan Blue Bags are supplied in plastic tubs to keep
water and moisture out.