Many people mistakenly think that they will be protected from the swine flu virus by wearing a protective face mask. However, the masks are actually much more effective if they are worn by those who have already contracted the virus. In any case, if one wishes to wear a mask it is imperative to follow the instructions for use and in particular the maximum time limit before the mask must be changed.

The virus A(H1N1) is spread by:
• Coughing, sneezing and spluttering,
• Direct contact, especially hand contact
• Direct contact with contaminated objects

Those who are confirmed with the illness can and should avoid spreading the virus to others by taking the following precautions:
• Wear a fluid resistant surgical mask to retain saliva and projections whilst coughing and sneezing.
Features of Surgical Mask:
• Paper or polypropene mask secured by two elastic ties
• Cost: from £1.25 per mask and £3.50 per pack of 50
• Maximum usage time: 4 hours or less depending on humidity inside.

• Wash hands regularly with an antiseptic soap or clean them with an antiseptic hand gel,
• Wash easily contaminated objects like door handles with a multi purpose cleaner,
• Throw away used tissues, masks and wipes in a drawstring bin bag which can be tightly sealed.

Healthy people who want to avoid being infected should:
• Avoid direct contact with those confirmed with the virus
• Disinfect hands to avoid indirect contamination through objects touched by those with the virus.

Health workers who have contact with those infected should take extra precautions by:
• Wearing a tighter disposable respiratory mask which is a more effective filtering facepiece than a surgical mask
Features of appropriate respiratory masks:
• Polypropylene mask with or without respiratory valve, the latter allowing
for easier breathing
• Filtration level  FFP2 (98% plus)
• Cost: from £0.50 to £2.00 per piece depending on the desired quantity
• Maximum usage time: 8 hours.

Twenga recommends:
• Following the daily advice given by the NHS (National Health Service) or Nation Pandemic Flu Service concerning the progression of the virus A/H1N1.
• Following worldwide updates given by the world health organisation (also known as WHO)
• Contacting your your GP for further information. Medical guidance should be sought when making decisions regarding the use of personal protective equipment.

One of the most important considerations when choosing a tent is what you plan on using it for:
• Hiking or backpacking:  Choose a lightweight portable tent from a reputable brand like Northface,
• The advantages
• Takes up less room in your rucksack and weighs less.
• Require less assembly and disassembly time
• The disadvantages
• Some tents compromise comfort for function
• Limited interior space
• Not well suited for extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain,
cold, or wind
• The tents
• Hybrid Dome Tent
• Average Price: £ 149
• Bargain Price: £ 31
• Tunnel tent
• Average Price: £80
• Bargain Price: £ 31

• Fixed camping:  Choose a tent that is both comfortable and durable
• The advantages
• Roomy
• Stronger and better-adapted for extreme weather conditions
• The disadvantages
• Heavier and more difficult to transport
• Difficult to assemble and disassemble
• The tents
• Dome Tent
• Average Price: £60
• Bargain Price: £31
• Family tent
• Average Price: £220
• Bargain Price: £ 50

Whether you are a hiker on the go or a sedentary camper, you can optimize your outdoor comfort with: sleeping bags, groundsheets, pocket torches, and camping awnings…

Let’s start the week off right with a discount from Strawberry Fool.

10% off purchases
Valid until 31/07/2009

About Strawberry Fool:
Gorgeous gifts and lovely home and lifestyle accessories.

DIY projects are a great way to keep kids busy, productive and entertained during the summer vacation – Here are 5 fun crafts that are easy to create based on easily available and inexpensive craft products.

•    Paper drink umbrellas
What you’ll need: Decorative scrap paper, glue, pencil, toothpick (or wooden kebab skewers), pinking shears or scallop scissors
How to: Use a pencil to draw circles on the paper by using a Heinz baked beans can. Cut the circle shape and then cut a tiny slice into the paper circle. Wrap around into a cone shape and add glue to edges. Add white glue to head of the cone and stick in skewers, then allow to dry.
Price range of scrapbook paper £0.10 – £2.00
Price range of pinking shears £5.90 – £22.00

•    Decorated Flip flops
What you’ll need: plastic flip flops, ribbons, flower beads (bead box), glue
How to: Wrap the Y section of the flip flops with your desired ribbon using the glue to secure both ends. Add your beads or embellishments and decorate as you wish. Then allow to dry for a couple minutes.
Price range of flip flops £0.75 to £15

•    Tie dye t-shirts
What you’ll need: t-shirt, rubber bands/strings, dye, rubber gloves, large pot/bucket, BBQ tongs (to hold shirts and stir dye), newspaper and plastic bags (to protect your work area)., rags/paper towels (to clean up)  – OR you could buy a tie dye kit which allows you to do up to 5 shirts!
How to: Follow kit directions, but bear in mind that using a plain white t-shirt is best for achieving the desired results.
Price range of kits £6.75 to £12.50

•    Finger Printed Shopper
What you’ll need: plain, light coloured canvas shopping bag and finger paint
How to: Most finger paints are non-toxic and washable such as the Crayola Beginnings 3 Washable Finger Paints. You can get as creative and artistic as you like as there are no set rules to paint your bag.
Price range of shoppers – £0.75 to £10.00

•    Paper party bracelets
What you’ll need: scissors, old paper towel tube, scrapbooking paper, glue, buttons, and other embellishments (beads, photos etc)
How to: Use scissors to cut tube along length, to desired size of bracelet, glue scrapbooking paper and embellishments to decorate.
Price range of scrapbook paper £0.10 – £2.00

•    Windsurfing
Windsurfing requires many materials: a windsurf board, a sail, a mast, a boom, and a wetsuit… all together, these equipments can be relatively expensive. Be prepared to pay at least £1,000 for everything – possibly even more if you opt for trusted brand names like “Mistral” or “Star-board”

•    Surfing
The advantages of surfing over windsurfing are undeniable:
• More surfing time: Surfboards do not require assembly like windsurfing rigs
• Cheaper:  A surfboard costs between £55- £900 depending on your level.

Surfing based on your level of expertise:
• Beginners: You will benefit from the stability of a round-nosed longboard.
• Experienced: The pointed-nose of a shortboard will provide increased
control and mobility.

Online shops like Sunset Surf and Shore offer a large choice of surf equipment for any budget.

•    Other “Trendy” Water Sports
• Bodyboarding: Short, flexible bodyboards are less expensive than
surfboards.  Bodyboarding is a good choice for children and for taking
advantage of small waves close to the shore.

• Skimboarding: Using the concept of hydroplaning, a skimboard allows
you to slide along a thin sheet of water on the shore before catching a wave
to ride back on.

• Wakeboarding: A mix between waterskiing and snowboarding,
wakeboarding requires a boat for traction.

• Kitesurfing: Similar to wakeboarding, except kitesurfing requires a sail for
traction.  You can buy a kitesurfing board from £180