16 August 2012

Numbers falling off balconies could reach record levels this year

The FCO and ABTA are taking action to raise public awareness of accidents involving balconies on holiday. 18 to 35 age group highest, 3 deaths so far this year.

We hope not but the Foreign & Commonwealth Office report that there have been 13 incidents of young people falling off balconies so far this year. Three of the incidents resulted in death.

There have already been 9 cases in Ibiza and Majorca, matching last years figures despite being only half way through the holiday season.

The FCO have 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.”

With single trip travel insurance for a 19 year old male travelling to Europe for a 7 night break starting from under £4.50 there's no good reason for travelling without insurance. Just don't play around on the balconies!