Module 1: Personal Health and Safety

The Falkland Islands are virtually crime-free, a very reassuring fact for travellers carrying important documents, credit cards and money. However there are a few points we ask you to pass on to your clients:

• Weather conditions in the Falklands can change rapidly. Visitors should dress in layers with wind/waterproof clothing, hats, gloves, and sturdy walking shoes (with closed toes).
  
• The sun is strong in the Falklands. Protective clothing, sunscreen, hat and polarised sunglasses are recommended.
  
• If  taking a prescription medicine visitors should bring both their prescription and medication to the Falklands, as a replacement medicine might not be readily available.
  
• Cruise ship passengers should always carry their medication/prescription ashore where possible.
  
• Conditions underfoot, particularly if walking outside of Stanley, can sometimes be rough and rocky. Be prepared with appropriate footwear and tread carefully.
  
• Seals and sea lions often bask in tall tussac grass. Take particular care to look ahead for these animals or avoid walking through these areas altogether.
  
• Road safety follows a common sense approach, however, visitors should be reminded that Islanders drive on the left. It is not customary for drivers to give way to pedestrian traffic at intersections except at clearly marked crossings. Care should be taken when crossing roads, or stepping off the footpaths/pavement to take photographs. 
  
• While the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches may remind some of tropical islands, it should be noted that sea temperatures around the Falklands are approximately 6-8°C.
  

In case of an emergency, visitors should call 999 to receive assistance from the local emergency services (police, fire, ambulance).

Countryside Code
The Countryside Code has been developed by Falklands Conservation to ensure that the remarkable wildlife and natural environment of the Falklands is protected for the enjoyment of future generations. It is recommended that visitors be familiar with this code before their arrival in the Islands.

Landmines
An amount of unexploded ordnance and land mines from the 1982 Falklands Conflict are still on the ground in the Falklands. Visitors should be alert but not alarmed, the Falklands has an excellent safety record with no civilian casualties ever recorded.  A preliminary programme is currently underway for the clearance of some minefields.
All minefields are securely fenced off and marked with international symbols. Should visitors spot anything unusual, they are asked to leave it where it is, make a note of the location and contact the Explosive Ordnance Disposal on 22229 or 22228, or the police on 28100. Visitors should also note that it is illegal and a finable offence to enter any suspect area or designated minefield, or to remove any minefield signage or unexploded ordnance.