	At Elsan, we have been looking after the health and safety of caravanners, campers and mariners for over 80 years. We are passionate about the outdoor life and the benefits it can bring to us all. That is why we have prepared these helpful tips and contacts. We hope they 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 relevent 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.
	If you want to take advantage of some of the useful web sites at the back of this book, but don't have a computer on board, many libraries now provide internet access. Otherwise visit an internet bar or cafe.
	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.
	Need some good ideas to keep the chilidren entertained? Visit www.ukchildrensdirectory.com for information on days out, what's on and many leisure activities as well as links to other sites.
	To clean your hands without water after those messy jobs around the caravan or car, rub a little Elsan anti-bacterial 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 a couple of drops of Elsil, leave for five minutes 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.
	If you get sunburned and have no lotion to relieve the pain, try dabbing on a little aloe vera or vinegar. Pain killers such as Iboprofen may also help.
	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 antibacterial 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 cost less, is easier to wash, dries out more quickly and should by 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! YouÕd 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.
	Taking your caravan abroad? Check certain travel documents well in advance such as passports, visas, immunisation records and international driving licences. These can take a long time to acquire or replace.
	In case you need to replace a lost passport whilst away, or may require further travel documents, take surplus passport photos with you.
	Looking for good value in travel insurance? Check the small ads in the weekend travel pages of the national press. If you travel abroad several times a year you should consider an annual policy for extra savings as well as convenience.
	Travelling to a hot country? Pack light coloured clothes. Dark colours absorb the heat and attract mosquitoes and bees.
	If you run out of Elsan whilst abroad, the same fluids and sachets may be found in many countries around Europe. However it is better to make sure you have sufficient for your trip.
	Relying on your mobile phone to keep in contact with people at home? Check that service will be available in the areas to which you will be travelling. If it is not, you will need to make alternative arrangements.
	If you are crossing the equator, and will be relying on your compass, adjust it to the current hemisphere or replace it when you arrive, otherwise it will not work correctly.
	If you are travelling to parts of the world where the drinking water quality is uncertain, Elsil water purifier will remove any bacteria and viruses. Beware of ice in drinks as it may be made from contaminated water.
	In case you lose or are robbed of your travellers' cheques or credit cards, keep a separate note of their numbers as well as the emergency telephone numbers for cancellation.
	To minimise your exposure to theft, avoid keeping your credit cards, travellers' cheques, money and passport together in one place. Use a money belt or secure inside pocket for cash.

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