Holiday season is upon us at last, and families and friend-groups across the country are clamouring to reserve their place in the sun in the coming weeks. Holidays are an essential luxury, providing a pause to busy lives and giving us the opportunity to expand our world-view – but they can also breed complacency.
Accidents happen and they can also happen on holiday. So what are the most common forms of holiday accidents and how can you avoid them?
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the most common kind of accidents faced by people, whether in the workplace or on holiday. Trip and slip hazards are ubiquitous, from raised kerbs to grates and spillages in public places. As a holiday-goer, you are more susceptible to a trip or slip injury by virtue of your unfamiliar surroundings.
Slips, trips and falls can be difficult to predict, but also easily avoided with a little more diligence when moving around your holiday location. Paying attention to your feet when using busy urban crossings can help, as can wearing the right footwear for rural or hiking terrain.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are not just a domestic risk. Indeed, the risks presented to you by vehicles in other countries can be higher than in the UK, especially where cars are driven on the right hand side of the road as opposed to the left.
Again, diligence is your holiday party’s best friend when it comes to minimising the risk of suffering a car accident. As a pedestrian, you should take special care at road crossings, and buddy up with other travellers where possible. As a driver, you should ensure that you are confident and above all cautious when driving.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a serious condition, and extremely important to look out for when visiting hotter countries. Looking out for heatstroke is all the more important with temperatures rising across Europe this summer, bringing unseasonable temperatures to usually-cold locales.
Sunscreen is always a good thing to bring on a summer holiday, but will do very little to combat heatstroke – and can be dangerous in encouraging people to stay out in sweltering heat for longer. If a member of your group begins to feel faint, and displays a high body temperature, you should move them into the shade and spray them with cool water.
In the Event of Accident
If you suffer an accident on holiday, the treatment you receive should be covered by your insurance or EHIC card. In returning home, you should pay close attention to your recovery and ensure you are receiving the right aftercare. On your return, you may be able to enter a compensation claim if the accident was not your fault – speaking to a specialist can help you find out if you are due any compensation.
Even if you have already received treatment, you should book an appointment with your GP for a follow-up. Your GP can give you pointers for swifter recovery or spot any issues with your condition. This also serves you well with regards to building medical records for any potential civil case.
