How to keep out of trouble

Holiday food and drink in dodgy destinations: Eat food cooked to order rather than buffet-style dishes that may have been kept…

Holiday food and drink in dodgy destinations: Eat food cooked to order rather than buffet-style dishes that may have been kept lukewarm for hours. If tap water is dubious, stick to the bottled or boiled variety for drinking and cleaning teeth.

Give ice-cubes a miss and avoid ready-to-eat food (such as peeled fruit) kept chilled in direct contact with ice.

Avoid salads, shellfish, ice-cream and fruit that you haven't peeled yourself. On the beach: Wear a wide-brimmed sunhat. Use sunscreen with adequate UVA (three stars) and UVB protection (at least SPF15). Apply thickly and evenly 10 to 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Re-apply every two hours. Wear sunglasses. Find the shade and avoid the sun between the hours of 11a.m. and 3p.m. Sources: British Consumers' Association; Irish Cancer Society; and the www.fitfortravel website.