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I haven't been abroad for almost two years - that's having a baby for you - but just a few weeks after booking our first family holiday to Cyprus, panic set in.

There have been reports for weeks now that Cyprus is being caught up in the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Last week, the Express reported on the British tourists in Cyprus who were relaxing on their balcony - then saw Iranian missiles cutting through the sky overhead.

At the same time, some flights to Cyprus have been cancelled due to crossing the affected region, while the Foreign Office has upgraded its travel warnings for the area due to 'ongoing hostilities in the region'.

It said on June 13: "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region."

All this, of course, came after we booked our first family holiday to take a baby to Cyprus.

I'm sure/hope it'll be fine, but given what's going on the world I have taken extra safety steps over-and-above what I'd usually bother with, based on some Martin Lewis advice, too.

My one key change is taking out travel insurance straight away, instead of leaving it til the last minute in the hope of finding a cheaper deal. But I also took other extra precautions this time too.

On the most recent series of The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV1, Martin urged people to get travel insurance 'ASAB - As Soon As you Book'.

This is because the insurance is not just to cover the period you're going for, but to cover you if something happens ahead of time, too.

He explained: "I do an annual warning about travel insurance. Key thing to understand: travel insurance is not just to cover you while you're away. It's also very important to cover you in case something happens before you go that stops you going.

"So I have a rule, you should get your travel insurance ASAB, as soon as you book.

"But right now many people have already booked and if you don't have your travel insurance, but your holiday's booked, do it right now."

Martin also urged people to get a GHIC card (which used to be called an EHIC). The Global Health Insurance Card means you'll be treated free of charge at local hospitals in whatever European country you go to, as part of a deal brokered between the various nations who are part of the scheme.

Not only did I get one for me and my wife, but my son has one too, at 18 months old. Belt and braces.

Finally, we are getting a GPS wristband, which is basically an Apple AirTag for your children. We plan to stick it in a wristband and keep it on them at all times - it allows you to see their position anywhere in the world with a GPS app.

Last but not least, I paid the rest of the holiday off on a credit card. This gives you extra protection, known as Section 75. This effectively forces the credit card provider to step in and make good any issues, such as a refund in the event of a holiday provider suddenly cancelling on you.

As Martin Lewis' MSE explains: "Section 75 is your secret financial superhero - buy something costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 on your credit card, and your card company has a LEGAL responsibility to come to the rescue if there's a problem. So if something you've paid for has turned up broken or faulty, or perhaps didn't arrive at all, you may be able to get your money back through a Section 75 claim."

All of this is of course good sense, but it still helps me feel better to have got organised and taken all possible precautions.

Locals have also moved to reassure British tourists coming to visit. On the r/Cyprus subReddit, u/Competitive-Crew572 said: "100% safe here. Cyprus has nothing to do with the situation in the Middle East which is hundreds of kilometres away.

"Over here we are living quiet, peaceful, sunny days and swimming in a beautiful sea with excellent food waiting at the restaurant.

"Come join us!"

u/plaintrue said: "Your worst worry over the attacks there is the missle jammers may confuse your maps GPS. It's pretty far [away] to worry [about]."