AT HOME

Ensuring good hygiene in your kitchen can prevent food poisoning. Hygiene isn't just about cleaning it refers to a number of things you can do to stop harmful bacteria reaching your plate.

Always follow good personal hygiene wash your hands before and during food preparation and keep your kitchen clean.

Cook food thoroughly if you eat or serve undercooked food you are at risk of food poisoning.

Keep foods at the right temperature store food carefully to stop it going off or becoming contaminated.

Prevent cross-contamination one of the major causes of food poisoning is the transfer of bacteria from raw to cooked foods. Use different utensils for different foods.

EATING OUT

According to environmental health officers, these are some of the things to look for when choosing somewhere to eat:

Avoid places with dirty public areas if the areas you can see aren't managed well, imagine the state of the areas you can't see.

Beware of staff with dirty hands or fingernails, dirty aprons or long hair that isn't tied back.

Be aware of coverage in the local press concerning food hygiene offences.

Avoid places with overflowing wastebins or bags of rubbish outside the premises these could attract pests and flies.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE FOOD POISONING

Rehydrate drink plenty of fluids and perhaps use rehydration powders available from pharmacies

Seek medical assistance if you are concerned contact NHS Direct (on 0845 4647) or your GP for advice, especially when pregnant women, elderly people or children are ill.

Report it if you think your illness was caused by food prepared outside the home, report the incident to your local environmental health service. This could help prevent other people suffering from food poisoning if officers do discover a problem.The contact number for Swindon is 01793 466067.