Heathrow Airport has issued a warning to travellers going abroad over the risks of methanol poisoning and drink spiking. In a blog post published on July 8, titled 'Summer travel reminders for staying safe', airport officials alerted holidaymakers to key safety dangers that can arise when abroad.
Drink Spiking Risks and Precautions
The post emphasises that 'drink spiking can happen anywhere' and that 'simple precautions can help keep you safe and give you peace of mind.' Spiking involves covertly adding drugs, alcohol, or other dangerous substances to a drink without the victim's knowledge, often to facilitate theft, sexual assault, or rape.
To reduce the risk of spiking, Heathrow advises: never leave your drink unattended, avoid accepting drinks from strangers, and keep an eye on friends and travel companions. Signs of spiking include feeling more drunk than expected, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, and memory blackouts. The UK Government's Travel Aware campaign recommends trusting your gut if something feels wrong.
Methanol Poisoning Dangers
Heathrow also warned that in some destinations, counterfeit or poorly produced alcohol can contain methanol, which is extremely dangerous. Methanol is an industrial alcohol used in products like antifreeze and paint thinners. Medical experts say as little as 30ml (roughly a shot) can be fatal for an adult, while 10ml can cause blindness.
To reduce the risk of methanol poisoning, travellers should avoid free cocktails or shots, unlabelled bottles, and unusually cheap or discounted drinks claiming to be brand-name alcohol. They should be cautious with spirit-based drinks like cocktails and shots, choose branded beers, ciders, wines, and premixed cocktails in sealed containers, and stick to licensed establishments.
Broader Travel Safety Advice
The blog post is part of Heathrow's summer travel safety campaign, reminding travellers that while holidays are about relaxation, staying aware of safety risks is crucial. The airport encourages travellers to read the full Travel Aware guidance for more details on spotting signs and reducing risks.
