Young people warned about the dangers of balconies
Young Brits are being warned about the dangers of balconies in a new campaign by ABTA and the The Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
According to the latest statistics, one British national has died and three more have been injured this month alone after falling from balconies while on holiday.
These latest incidents take the total number of reported cases this year so far to seven.
Last year there were 14 incidents, many involving young people and alcohol.
Young people were urged to take particular care in the popular resorts of Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, and Majorca, where some of the recent incidents took place.
Jon O’Shaughnessy, British Consul in Sofia, said: "Last year we had to deal with several deaths and injuries from balcony falls, and unfortunately we are already experiencing balcony accidents again.
"Our staff have seen the devastating effects a momentary lapse in judgement can have on the victim and their family and we are working hard to ensure people understand the risks.
"Accidents can and do happen and climbing from balcony to balcony, jumping off them or drinking excessively while on one only increases your chances of something going wrong. All too often these incidents cost lives but the risks can be avoided if you take a moment to just think about the possible consequences."
Last year Jake Evans and his family gave a harsh reminder of just how wrong things can go when he shared his story of falling seven floors after slipping over the edge of his balcony while trying to reach for something on the balcony below.
Hear Jake’s story by clicking here.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
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.
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