Advice for staying safe on holiday

Everyone looks forward to jetting off on holiday. But it’s also important to be aware of how you can keep you, your friends and your family safe.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – the UK Government’s department for foreign affairs – provides regular updates to travellers.

One of the biggest growing threats to travellers abroad is the risk of drink spiking and methanol poisoning.

Alcohol contaminated with methanol and targeted spiking incidents can lead to serious illness and death. 

Here are some ways to keep yourself safe from the risks:

• Avoid free cocktails or shots, unlabelled bottles and unusually cheap or discounted drinks
• Choose branded beers, ciders, wines and premixed cocktails in sealed bottles and cans
• Buy drinks from licenced stores, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Avoid homemade, ‘bootleg’ or streetside alcohol
• Trust your senses – if a drink doesn’t smell or taste right, do not drink it
• If you feel unusually drunk, drowsy or confused, trust your gut and ask a friend to accompany you back to your accommodation and stay with you. Get medical help if required
• Keep an eye on your drinks – do not leave them unattended
• Do not accept drinks from strangers
• If you suspect methanol poisoning (including headaches, vomiting, drowsiness, vision issues, and loss of co-ordination), seek urgent medical help. Treatment is most effective within 10–30 hours of drinking methanol - don’t delay
• You can find phone numbers for emergency services in the health section of each country’s travel advice www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Here are some other things to keep in mind and to help you stay safe on holiday:

Travel insurance

• Buy it when you book
• Declare your medical conditions
• Check your insurance covers your holiday activities
• Check your insurance policy covers your whole trip
• Make sure you’re covered for medical evacuation
• Pack your policy
• Share your insurance details before going abroad

Stick with your mates and look out for each other

• If you go out together, go home together, and if someone’s not okay - don’t ignore it
• Moderation is key – drink water between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated
• Know your limits. Drinking abroad can be different to back in the UK. The quality of alcohol can vary and the measurements of alcohol larger
• Stay in touch during nights out. Use a messaging app to set up a group chat and share your location
• Agree a back-up meeting point
• Keep your hotel address on you – take a screenshot and save it in your phone
• Taking illegal drugs isn’t worth the risk. You can’t know for sure what’s in them or how strong they are and penalties for possessing drugs can be even more severe abroad, including heavy fines or prison
• Drug dealers can take advantage of tourists by selling them drugs that are not what they are supposed to be. Don’t trust people offering you drugs. At best you could just be getting ripped off, but at worst it could be something really dangerous
• Do not be pressured into carrying drugs for others
• If you hire a quadbike, motorbike or moped, make sure your travel insurance covers you, you wear a helmet, and never ride after drinking alcohol
• Read up on the cultural differences – they can be different to the UK
• Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you go

For more information regarding staying safe abroad and to view the ‘Foreign Travel Checklist’, visit, travelaware.campaign.gov.uk