So far in 2016, there have been three balcony falls reported to the FCO, resulting in serious injury.
Many balcony falls involve young people and alcohol. For the last five years, ABTA and the FCO have run a campaign warning of the dangers as well as providing advice and tips on staying safe, including posters for hotels popular with younger travellers.
Earlier this month, there were media reports of a 34-year-old British holidaymaker who jumped from his balcony into the hotel swimming pool and remains in a critical condition after suffering a serious spinal cord injury. With the summer holiday season barely underway, this latest incident and others highlight the need for exercising caution on balconies.
Whilst ABTA has seen a reduction in the number of incidents in recent years, one fall is one too many. Nikki White, ABTA’s Director of Destinations and Sustainability, says: "As we head into the peak summer season, we are again urging holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies.
"We see too many people badly injured or much worse because they’ve tried to climb over, jump or dive from their hotel balcony. A moment of thoughtlessness can have a devastating impact, not just on holidaymakers themselves but also on family and friends. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, ABTA Members and local authorities in resort, we hope to help holidaymakers use their balconies sensibly and safely, as do millions of hotel guests around the world."
Will Middleton, FCO Consular Director for Southern Europe, adds: "We have already seen a number of very serious injuries caused by balcony falls this summer.
"We really do urge people to avoid taking risks around balconies, particularly if they have been drinking. A momentary lapse of judgement can lead to a lifetime of consequences. So think balcony safety, look out for friends and avoid doing anything that might cost a life."
ABTA and the FCO have put together the following tips on using balconies safely, which are available online, and as a leaflet or poster.
1. Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony wall or railings.
2. Don’t try to pass items to someone on another balcony.
3. Don’t climb from one balcony to another.
4. Never stand on balcony furniture.
5. Never jump into the pool from your balcony.
6. Take extra care on balconies after drinking alcohol as your judgement may be affected.
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We fly back and forth to Mallorca every 2 weeks and you can see the retards on the plane they are an embarrassment to the uk and I have no sympathy for them or their families when they are injured or killed it's the people who have to deal with the aftermath that I feel sorry for
So many keep trying to win the Darwin Award(look it up)
Numerous balconies on very old Hotels are inadequate.There needs to be an urgent inspection of these very old Hotels and their unsafe balconies. You can not prevent drunken idiots, from their madness, whilst inebriated . But major improvements and modifications are urgently needed to these very flimsy balconies. Families with small children, are frightened for their children's safety. These balconies would not pass British Health and Safety Regulations. Many of these old Hotels do not have Fire Escapes.
Dear sir We read these articles year after year between end of June and halfway through September. I appreciate the actions and warnings authorities try to put in place, but these kinds of people are deaf to everything which is linked to common So neither leaflets nor proactive information on social media is waste of time .They are also the people responsible for the antisocial behavior and encouraged by the booze boats because dropping them off again . I must be very frustrating for the investors in those notorious areas certainly when you get a few of the Geordie Shore type of customers ( are they really ciustomers??... ) in one of the brand new or fully refurbished 4 star hotels.and spoil the holiday of normal customers