CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES TRAVEL CHECKLIST TO HELP HOLIDAY MAKERS ENSURE THEIR FIRST AID KITS ARE WELL PREPARED FOR SUMMER

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group has launched a travel checklist to help New Zealanders put together their summer first aid kit.

Using the holiday travel checklist, customers will be able to tick off what they already have and then bring the list into their local pharmacy for the remaining items. Care Chemists will be on hand throughout the holiday season to answer questions and to advise on which items are essential for certain destinations.

‘A well stocked portable first aid kit is vitally important so you can take care of minor injuries as they occur as well as being better prepared to manage something more major,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams. ‘Having a ready supply of first aid basics such as pain relief, hand sanitiser, bandages, sterile dressings, disposable gloves and antiseptic wipes, can make all the difference. Consider the things you might have to deal with at your travel destination and try to prepare accordingly. Having the tools to deal with minor illnesses or injury while on holiday in NZ or overseas, means you can get back to enjoying your holiday so much faster. Remember, as well as having a well stocked first aid kit, it’s just as important to protect yourself from the sun and pack plenty of sunscreen for everyone in the family. Tania also highlights the importance of packing enough of your prescription medication.

‘Don’t forget about your regular medications while you are away from home,’ says Tania. ‘Make sure you have enough for your time away plus allow for three extra days in case the unexpected happens. Also, bear in mind that if you are travelling abroad you should carry any prescription medication in your hand luggage, along with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor. The letter should include the name of the medicine, the dosage, how much you need to travel with, and should state that the medicine is for your personal use. The best thing you can do is prepare everything a few weeks in advance. Being organised and getting everything you need beforehand will make your holiday much more fun and infinitely less stressful and if you need any advice just pop into your Care Chemist and we will be more than happy to help.’

The Care Chemist first aid travel checklist can be viewed by going to www.carechemist.co.nz and typing ‘first aid travel checklist’ into the search bar.