16 August 2024

Numbers falling off balconies could reach record levels this year

The FCO and ABTA take action to raise public awareness of accidents involving balconies on holiday. 18 to 35 age group highest risk

Every year we hear reports of young people falling off balconies whilst on holiday.Young people are the most commonly reported and sometimes this can occur on their first independent holiday away from parents.

The FCO joined forces with ABTA to raise public awareness of the issue and hopefully prevent this becoming a record breaking year for all the wrong reasons.

Not surprisingly excessive drinking has been linked with daft antics such as jumping from balconies aiming for (but not necessarily reaching) hotel swimming pools. The FCO do not pay hospital bills and both heavy drinking and reckless actions may invalidate any travel insurance policy leaving holidaymakers having to pay out thousands of pounds for hospital bills and medical repatriation.

ABTA's Head of Destinations and Sustainability, Nikki White said "Each year too many young people are permanently injured or worse because they've tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony. ABTA, the Foreign Office and tourist authorities are all working together to help raise awareness of the dangers and prevent these incidents. The after-effects are often made even worse through holidaymakers travelling uninsured and parents having to raise large amounts of money to get their children home. Our advice aims to help holidaymakers to use their balconies safely and prevent more of these tragic and avoidable incidents.”

We hope you and your loved ones stay safe on your holiday but do remember to take out travel insurance as soon as you book.