Jet2 has issued an important warning to British holidaymakers jetting off abroad this summer. Anyone travelling to destinations such as France, Greece, Spain, and other holiday hotspots should be aware of any rules in place, particularly when checking into a hotel. While guests are free to enjoy their time as they wish, if they engage in reckless behaviour, they could be evicted or fined by the hotel.
Warning on Balcony Safety
In a stark warning to travellers staying at hotels, Jet2 took to X, formerly Twitter, this week. The budget holiday and airline operator said: "Booked a hotel with a balcony? Follow the safety advice, avoid risky behaviour and keep an eye on friends who might be unsteady. Hotels can fine or evict you for unsafe behaviour - and your insurance might not cover balcony incidents. One slip can change everything."
Jet2 has outlined further advice on using the hotel balcony under its 'health & safety information' on its website. They warned: "Many British holidaymakers die or are severely injured every year as a result of inappropriate and risk-taking behaviour on balconies, often after having a few drinks or taking drugs."
Guidance from Jet2 and ABTA
To ensure holidaymakers stay safe during their getaway, they issued the following guidance: Do not leave children alone on balconies; never sit or lean over the balconies, step up or climb on any ledges or balcony frames; do not try to pass items to someone on another balcony; do not attempt to climb from one balcony to another; never climb or stand on balcony furniture, and keep all furniture away from the balcony wall/railings; never jump into the pool from your balcony.
The Travel Association, ABTA, has also shared crucial advice on balcony safety, as they said accidents occur every year, which is "often as a result of a lapse in concentration or misuse." They issued similar advice to Jet2, with the addition of the following: Be aware that glass in balcony doors can be difficult to see in bright sunlight and at night, and very few hotels have 'toughened' or safety glass in their windows, doors and panes; before closing the door whilst on the balcony, check that there's a handle on the outside, so you can get back in; don't hang towels and clothes over the balcony façade, as you may be tempted to lean over to retrieve items that may fall over the edge; take extra care on balconies after drinking alcohol, as your judgment may be affected; if you lose your room key, always contact reception; if someone is not on the desk, either call the contact number for the night porter or security, or stay in a friend's room; no matter what, don't try and access your room via your balcony.
Advice for Children's Safety
On the ABTA website, they also issued advice on balcony safety for children, noting that balconies can pose "hazards that can make it a dangerous place for children." They shared the following tips: Never leave children unsupervised on balconies; height and designs of balconies may vary from country to country, so don't presume they are child (or even adult) friendly; keep all balcony furniture away from the balcony wall or railings so that children are not encouraged to climb up them; don't leave potential trip hazards on the balcony, e.g. toys, buckets and spades, etc; be mindful of any gaps within the balcony structure; it may be possible for children to use these as a climbing frame or slip through the gaps. For more information, visit the 'safety at your accommodation' page on the Jet2 website or the balcony safety page on the ABTA website.
