Warning over balcony deaths
British holidaymakers are being warned about the dangers of balconies after three reported falls already this year.
Last year, three British nationals died, including a mother of three, after falling or jumping from balconies while on holiday overseas.
Three more holidaymakers were seriously injured.
ABTA and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are renewing their campaign to warn Brits of the dangers.
"As we head into the peak summer season, we are again urging holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies," said Nikki White, ABTA’s director of destinations and sustainability.
"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 the holidaymaker themselves, but also on their family and friends."
ABTA said many balcony falls involve young people and alcohol.
Earlier this month, a 34-year-old British holidaymaker reportedly jumped from his balcony into the hotel swimming pool and remains in a critical condition after suffering a serious spinal cord injury.
Will Middleton, FCO consular director for Southern Europe, said: "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 you have been drinking."
ABTA and the FCO have put together the following tips on using balconies safely:
– Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony wall or railings
– Don’t try to pass items to someone on another balcony
– Don’t climb from one balcony to another
– Never stand on balcony furniture
– Never jump into the pool from your balcony
– Take extra care on balconies after drinking alcohol as your judgement may be affected.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt