One British national has died and 3 more was injured this month alone after falling from balconies while on holiday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA – The Travel Association, have renewed calls to young Brits keeping off on holiday this summer to take extra care on balconies.
The latest incidents take the full selection of reported cases this year thus far to seven. Last year there have been 14 incidents, lots of which involved adolescents and alcohol. This prompted the FCO and ABTA to launch a campaign warning of the hazards and providing advice and recommendations on staying safe.
With the summer holiday season barely underway the newest incidents highlight the desire for continued vigilance on balconies, particularly in popular destinations similar to Sunny Beach (Bulgaria) and Majorca (Spain) where recent cases have taken place.
Jon O’Shaughnessy, British Consul in Sofia, said: “Last year we needed to take care of several deaths and injuries from balcony falls, and unfortunately we’re already experiencing balcony accidents again. Our staff have seen the devastating effects a momentary lapse in judgement may have at the victim and their family and we’re working hard to make certain people understand the hazards. Accidents can and do happen and climbing from balcony to balcony, jumping off them or drinking excessively while on one only increases your probabilities of something going wrong. All too often these incidents cost lives however the risks may be avoided in case you take a moment to only imagine the potential consequences.”
Last year Jake Evans and his family gave us a harsh reminder of just how wrong things can go when he shared his story of falling seven floors after slipping over the sting of his balcony while looking to reach for something at the balcony below. Jake’s story are available on www.gov.uk.
Nikki White, ABTA’s Head of Destinations and Sustainability, said: “As we head into peak summer time, we’re again urging young holidaymakers to give thought the aptitude risks of balconies. We see too plenty of people permanently injured or worse because they’ve tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony. We wish people to enjoy their holidays but would advise them to contemplate the ramifications in their behaviour abroad. Incidents corresponding to these have devastating consequences for holidaymakers and for his or her families. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tourist authorities and ABTA Members in resort we are hoping to assist holidaymakers stop and consider how they use their balconies to avoid more of those tragic and avoidable incidents.”
This summer, the FCO and ABTA are urging teens:
* Understand the hazards – climbing over or jumping off balconies could have serious consequences
* Know your limit – alcohol can impair your judgement and warmer climates can often increase the effect of drinking
* Get comprehensive travel insurance – be prepared for if something does get it wrong. Figures released in July this year showed that Spain is the rustic where most Britons require consular assistance, including 1105 hospitalisations.