Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber and are latex-free, which makes them a suitable choice for anyone with a latex allergy. Latex gloves, such as our Gloves - Latex, are made from natural rubber and tend to offer a closer, more flexible fit along with strong barrier protection against germs and bacteria. Our latex gloves are also powder-free, so they will not leave behind the fine white residue associated with older, powdered gloves. If you have a known latex allergy, look for gloves labelled nitrile or vinyl instead, as these are made without natural rubber proteins.

A digital thermometer, such as our Digital Thermometer, uses an electronic sensor to detect body heat and convert it into a temperature reading. The tip is placed under the tongue or in the armpit, and once the reading has stabilised, the device beeps and displays the temperature on its screen. Our digital thermometer offers an accuracy of ±0.1°C across a measuring range of 32-42°C, and it is best to wait around 20 seconds after the beep before taking the reading to ensure it is fully accurate.

Basic digital thermometers are factory calibrated and do not have a manual calibration setting for the user to adjust. If you would like to check accuracy at home, a simple method is the ice water test: fill a glass with crushed ice, top up with a little cold water, wait a few minutes for the temperature to settle, then place the thermometer tip into the water. A properly working thermometer should read close to 0°C. If the reading is consistently off, or does not match how you feel, it may be worth replacing the thermometer.

PI stands for perfusion index, a measurement shown alongside the blood oxygen and pulse readings on devices like our Fingertip Pulse Oximeter. It reflects the strength of the pulse signal detected at your fingertip and is displayed as a percentage, typically ranging from 0.02% to 20%. A higher PI generally means a stronger, more easily detected pulse, and the pulse rate reading tends to be more reliable when the PI is higher. If your PI reading is consistently very low, try warming your hands, removing any nail varnish, and keeping still while the device takes its reading, as all of these can affect detection.

There is no longer a general legal requirement to wear a face mask in the UK, but current guidance still recommends wearing one in certain situations: if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cold, flu or COVID-19 and need to leave home or be around other people, when visiting someone at higher risk of severe illness, or when attending a hospital, GP surgery or care home, as some healthcare settings may still ask visitors to wear one. A Type IIR surgical face mask provides a fluid-resistant, 3-layer barrier suited to any of these situations.

Yes, though the ear loops on a standard mask can occasionally catch or dislodge a hearing aid if it is not fitted carefully. To wear a mask such as our Face Mask 3 Ply - IIR comfortably alongside hearing aids, position the ear loops below the hearing aid rather than over it, or fit the hearing aid after the mask is already in place. A mask extender or button strap, which moves the loops away from your ears entirely, can also help if you find the loops keep catching. It is worth checking your hearing aids are still securely in place each time you remove the mask.

Yes, hand sanitiser does expire, and the date should be printed on the bottle or box. Alcohol-based sanitisers, including our 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitiser, rely on a high alcohol concentration to kill bacteria and viruses, and this alcohol can gradually evaporate through the packaging over time, especially if the bottle is not sealed properly between uses. A sanitiser that is past its expiry date, or one that has changed in colour, texture or smell, may no longer be as effective, so it is best to check the date before continuing to use an older bottle.

Infrared thermometers, such as our Infrared Forehead Thermometer, are generally accurate when used correctly, though a few factors can affect the reading. These include the distance from the forehead (ours is designed for use within 10cm), sweat or hair covering the forehead, and a significant difference between room temperature and body temperature, such as coming in from the cold. For the most reliable reading, wipe away any sweat, hold the device the recommended distance from a clean, dry forehead, and allow it to adjust to room temperature first if it has been somewhere much colder or warmer. Our infrared thermometer meets CE, FDA (Class II Device) and ROHS standards.