(Source:  www.teamsugar.com)

Unfortunately it looks like another celebrity has come down with food poisoning, this time model Jodie Kidd was taken to a Nepalese hospital with stomach cramps shortly after filming a BBC documentary.

Those of us who travel to countries like Nepal shouldn’t forget that standards of hygiene are generally low and the risk of food contamination is extremely high, mostly due to the sheer volume of water-borne viruses.

So, I’ve compiled some top tips for those of you thinking of travelling to Nepal in the near future:

1- Research what vaccinations you need and make sure you have them.
2- Don’t drink tap water or use it to clean your teeth.
3- Avoid eating food from street sellers as it’s probably not been prepared with treated water.
4- Nepal boasts a number of tempting Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Nepalese food outlets, just make sure the one you choose to eat at is clean and avoid peeled fruits.
5- Finally, should you need to see a doctor, medical facilities are limited and probably expensive, so make sure you take out sufficient travel insurance.

Both Jodie’s and Chipmunk’s cases of food poisoning just show that anyone, regardless of their celeb status and what country they’re staying in, can be susceptible to food poisoning if they’re not sensible about what they eat.

Jodie – we wish you a speedy recovery.

Teenage pop star Chipmunk has been unfortunate enough to catch food poisoning while on holiday in Jamaica. The singer was taking a much needed break ahead of his UK tour when he became unwell.

But don’t fear all you teeny boppers. Chipmunk is currently recovering well in a Jamaican hospital.

In light of Chipmunk’s misfortunes, I’d like to reiterate the importance of food hygiene on holiday with five useful tips to avoid food poisoning:

1. Eat in a clean environment. Whether you are staying in a 5-star hotel or backpacking in a hostel, if the place is poorly maintained or has evidence of pests in public areas then the parts you can’t see will probably be much worse.  For the sake of your holiday, it’s important not to compromise.

2. Make sure that you are the only thing that is pink and don’t accept undercooked foods.

3. Ensure that food is served hot not warm.  Your hotel may serve up a fantastic buffet with all the trimmings, but don’t feel you have to tuck into the food if it looks like it’s been left out for a while.

4. If the water quality in the area is suspect, be wary of washed salads and iced drinks. That Margarita on the beach may be a tempting offer, but waterborne bacteria can cause severe illnesses.

5. Outside the hotel, be careful of food in places where hygienic conditions are poor. Exploring a busy market or eating out to experience the authenticity of a destination may be exciting, but if that is followed by a visit to the local chemist or hospital then a holiday can be ruined.

Earlier this week, while tucking into my bowl of porridge I was greeted with the news that Britain tops the league of filthiest hotels in Europe. Some people might be shocked by this, assuming that standards in Britain far exceed those of the rest of Europe, even the world. I, however, am not surprised in the slightest!

As a company we have worked with hotels and resorts outside of the UK for over a decade. Advising them on how they can improve standards at their establishments and protect guests from picking up a nasty bug. We have only recently started working with hotels in the UK, why is this? Well until of late, UK hoteliers’ attitudes towards health and safety were slack at best.

The main problem was, and still is, a complacent attitude and over reliance on Environmental Health Officers (EHOs). There is a mindset within some quarters of the industry that says it is easier to deal with the consequences of a health and safety breach or a food poisoning incident after it has happened, than proactively take actions to stop it happening in the first place.  Ignorance is widespread, but ignorance is not a legal defence if someone gets ill or breaks their leg on carpet that isn’t properly laid and decides to sue, nor will it do much for the hotel’s reputation.  The responsibility must lie with UK hoteliers and restaurant owners for ensuring they maintain high standards at their establishment.

This isn’t a problem that is going to go away over night and the UK hotel industry really need to step up in order to compete with its European counterparts – who can offer higher standards of quality in sunnier climes.

It is an issue that I am very passionate about – otherwise I wouldn’t be doing my job. Let’s hope the league table shames UK hoteliers into addressing the problem.

source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Now, we go on a lot about the importance of making sure your food is warm all the way through before eating or serving it – and it’s only because we care! But I never thought we would discuss the significance of a warm bed……

Apparently, the Holiday Inn, London Kensington is going to provide a human bed warming service to guests. A little odd, but bear with me. If a guest requests the service, then a member of staff will adorn an all-in-one sleeper suit and jump into your bed until it is suitably warm – approximately 20 to 24°C.

To be honest, I am not overly enamoured with the idea. I can understand the concept that people get a better night’s sleep in a warm bed. But, I’m not sure that I like the idea of a stranger being in my hotel bed before I use it – that would definitely hinder my night’s rest. And, I haven’t even begun to think about the health and safety implications.

Perhaps I am over thinking it, what do you think? Would you use the bed warming service?

We thought it was about time that everyone got to know one of our illustrious leaders a little better. So, please welcome, Mr Harrington:

Name: Mark Harrington

Role at Check Safety First: CEO and general dogsbody.

Sum yourself up in ten words or less: A Welsh, middle-aged male version of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

Cask conditioned ale and music.

Favourite desert island disk?

Captain Beefheart’s ‘Safe as Milk’.

Favourite holiday destination?

I honestly don’t have a favourite. I have been to so many fabulous places that it would be impossible to pick.

Best holiday memory?

It has to be, without a doubt, walking in the Peruvian Andes.

Holiday nightmare?

I hate airports in general.

Favourite type of holiday?

A mix of activity and some well earned rest and relaxation.

Source: www.sejour-vacances-ski.com

So, has the recent snow and big freeze tempted you to take a winter holiday, or would you prefer to hibernate until the summer kicks in?

Personally, I am sick of the winter, but if you’re not then here’s a list of suggestions for perfect winter sports and activity breaks:

1-    Build shelters and spot bats by day and snuggle up your log cabin by night in Yorkshire.

2-    The more adventurous of us may fancy searching for snow buntings in the Highlands.

3-    A Narnia-inspired skiing break for the family in Switzerland.

4-    Blast away the cobwebs in the Lake District by hiking with ice picks and crampons.

5-    Adrenaline junkies might like the sound of speeding around in snow scooters in France.

6-    If your kids are missing the snow now it’s melting they fancy this ‘Snowmen in Sweden’ break.

7-    A scenic cross-skiing adventure overlooking pine forests in Scotland.

8-    Learn essential survival skills in Derbyshire, including how to light a fire from a bow drill.

9-    Those who like orienteering might prefer to navigate their way round Bienn Damph in Scotland.

10- Finally, a mountain bike trek with a visit to a Welsh Whisky distillery – an interesting, and potentially dangerous, combination.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

The news has been packed this week with gloomy stories about the weather – first the snow and now how we are expecting torrential flooding. So it was good to see a light-hearted story in The Sun about the silliest questions asked by tourists worldwide. And, it raises the question, are some people really that stupid?

We’ve picked a selection below of the ones that really tickled us along with the country/place that the question originated:

• UK – “I want to go somewhere in the north of Wales, but I don’t want to go to the coast. I’d like to go to the seaside. Can you recommend somewhere?”
• Rome – “What time do the gladiators start fighting in the Colosseum?”
• Val D’Aosta (mountain resort) – “Hello, where is the beach?”
• The Netherlands – “Where can I find this cow village?” (Pointing to a picture of a cow on a map)
• Ireland – “Where is the leprechaun forest?”
• Ireland – “Do you have St Patrick’s day here in Ireland as well?”
• Ireland – “Do you guys ever say ‘top of the mornin’ to you’?”
• Portugal – “Do you mind if I hide here until my wife goes away?”
• London – “Can you tell me why they built Windsor Castle on the Heathrow flight path?”

So in answer to my previous question – are some people really that stupid? – it would appear that the answer is yes!

It would be fair to say that the snow has caused absolute chaos here in the UK. Schools are closed, public transport is almost non-existent and companies are running on skeleton work forces. So, this poses the question: what are people doing instead of working or going to school? Building snow men, drinking hot chocolate while curled up on the sofa or making snow angels? Well, yes to all the above. However, apparently many are logging onto travel websites and dreaming of sunnier climes.  And it would seem that Spain is their fantasy destination of choice – well according to Skyscanner at least.

The travel search site has released the top 50 most searched for destinations from UK airports for 2010 and three Spanish resorts bagged the top spots – Malaga, Tenerife and Alicante – with a  further eight destinations in Spain featuring in the list.

New entries in the list, perhaps unsurprisingly so because they are hosting the World Cup, are Johannesburg and Cape Town. These are just a couple of highlights from the list, but if you want to see a complete version then click here.

Whatever destination you are thinking about jetting away to, with the weather as it is and the majority of British airports facing major disruptions, it is probably safer that you just stay put until the snow clears.

Keep warm.

This morning, our very own Jason Burnett, appeared on BBC Radio Manchester advising the public on the importance of food safety at Christmas. For those who missed Jason’s interview, or are from different areas of the country, you can catch his appearance again on iPlayer:

Click here to listen to the interview.

We have decided to put a seasonal twist on this month’s meet the team profile, so let me introduce you to the most festive person in the Check Safety First office…..

Name: Laura Vickers

Role at Check Safety First: Accountant

Sum yourself up in ten words or less:

1. Intelligent (cough, cough…)
2. Random
3. Loyal
4. Honest
5. Wife
6. Mother (to my Labrador pup)
7. Dreamer

What one thing couldn’t you live without? 

Cheese – what else can I say, I just love it!

Favourite Christmas carol? 

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin.

Favourite place to spend Christmas? 

I am a bit of a traditionalist, so I would have to say at home with my family in front of the fire.  That said, I had an amazing time when I spent Christmas in Thailand and New Zealand.

Best Christmas memory?  

Opening the pressies on Christmas morning of course!

Christmas nightmare?

Santa getting stuck up the chimney.

What is on your Christmas list this year?            

GHD hair straighteners, make-up and world peace.