Biting insects are more than an irritation: midges and mosquitoes can make time outdoors unbearable, and ticks can carry Lyme disease. A good repellent keeps them off your skin in the first place, which is both more comfortable and safer than treating dozens of bites afterwards. In a prolonged outdoor situation, that protection genuinely matters.
It's light, cheap and lasts for hours per application, so a bottle in a pack or first-aid kit covers a real, everyday outdoor hazard. Fewer bites also means less scratching and lower risk of the small skin infections that broken bites can cause.
Apply it before heading into midge, mosquito or tick country — woodland, moorland, lakesides and at dawn and dusk when biters are worst. Reapply as directed, especially after sweating or water, and use it alongside covering up and checking for ticks after the walk.
DEET is the most proven against a wide range of biters; picaridin and lemon eucalyptus are effective DEET-free alternatives for sensitive skin.
Look for several hours of cover per application so you're not constantly reapplying on a long day out.
A spray or roll-on that packs small and doesn't leak in a bag makes it far more likely to actually be with you.
Repellent works best applied properly before you're bitten. Cover exposed skin evenly and reapply as the label directs rather than waiting for bites to start.
Repellent reduces but doesn't eliminate tick bites. Still cover up, check thoroughly afterwards, and carry a tick remover for any that get through.
A long-lasting insect repellent that keeps mosquitoes, midges and other biters off your skin for hours, reducing bites and the risks that come with them.
CE-certified valved FFP3 respirators that filter ~99% of fine airborne particles — dust, smoke and debris — with an exhalation valve and adjustable seal for comfortable, protective wear.
A portable carbon monoxide alarm with a sealed 10-year battery and digital display, giving a loud early warning of CO from boilers, stoves, heaters and generators.
A Kitemark-certified fire blanket to BS EN 1869 in a rigid wall-mountable case — the recognised standard for smothering kitchen and chip-pan fires fast.
A comprehensive multi-piece first aid kit in a compact case for home, car or travel. Covers everyday cuts, burns and sprains as the foundation of any preparedness kit.
A compact 92-piece kit that slips into a bag, glovebox or desk drawer. A cheap, sensible way to make sure there's always a kit within reach.
A combat-proven pressure bandage with a built-in pressure bar to control serious bleeding. Simple, effective and worth learning to use.
A proper tick tool removes the whole tick — head included — cleanly and quickly, cutting the risk of Lyme disease that squeezing with fingers or tweezers makes worse.
Comprehensive medical supplies for treating injuries, burns, and illnesses in the field. The most important safety item in any kit.