Stay safe on holiday
Your safety and wellbeing are very important to us. That’s why we do our best to make sure your stay at each and every James Villa property is safe and trouble free. Please do be aware though that our villas need to meet the local standards and regulations of the country they are in. These might not always be the same as we expect in the UK, so we ask that you do take extra care while you’re on holiday.
Before you go away we’ll send you your travel documents. Packed with useful information unique to each property, they’ll have the ‘need-to-knows’ about your villa, directions and in-resort contacts. They also include handy advice and guidance for staying safe while you’re on holiday, as well as local emergency services’ contact information.
Balcony Safety
You can’t beat a hillside villa with panoramic views! That does mean however that low walls and balustrades, together with ladder-effect railing are a popular design feature, so as not to take away from the beautiful scenery. Please do then make sure that all of your party are made aware of any low walls/balconies as soon as you arrive, and that children are supervised and stopped from climbing railings and furniture. This goes without saying we know, but please don’t lean or sit on the balcony edges.
Beach Safety
Beach days are one of the best parts of a sun holiday, but even the safest can be dangerous in certain weather conditions. When you get there scope out the beach signage and check for warning flags – ask what they mean if you need to. Never swim where a sign says not to. Some areas might be zoned off for jet boats or jet skis, others lifeguards may have marked as unsafe. Do also be aware of tides and currents. Keep a close eye on your children – don’t let them swim unsupervised, and as fun as the lilo is, save the inflatables for the pool at your villa, not the open water. Make sure when you’re taking a dip that you swim along the shore edge and not out to sea.
Children’s Safety
Children are curious little souls. Especially when they’re on holiday with lots of new places to explore and things to see. That’s why you need to take extra care with their supervision on holiday, especially around swimming pools, balconies, water and unfenced areas etc. It’s likely that your accommodation won’t have the same child precautions that you have at home. Perhaps you’ve chosen one of our villas set out in the countryside? If so it’s not uncommon to have a working farm in the area, so please do make sure the children don’t wander near to the animals unsupervised.
Doors
We’ve all done it - walked straight into that closed, glass door! Please do take extra care on holiday, because in the bright sunlight - glorious as it is - it might not be obvious at a glance whether the windows or patio doors are open or closed. Glass doors overseas are not always made with toughened safety glass, as they’re not legally required in some countries.
Exterior grounds
If you’re after seclusion on holiday you might have chosen one our rural villas. Many have amazing panoramic views, and elevated and descending gardens really make the most of these! It does mean though that the property grounds might have drops in places. Please make sure everyone travelling in your party, especially children, know where these are, and that kids are kept a close eye on in these areas.
Fire Safety
Once you get to your accommodation, spend a little bit of time making sure all the party know the villa essentials, location and useful local contact numbers. You can find all of these handy and ready in your travel documents.
If the smoke detector starts to bleep, please let your villa manager or the local contact know straight away, so that they can arrange a replacement. Also, make a note of the nearest extinguisher or fire blanket.
If there’s a fire please leave the property immediately; don’t put yourself in any danger by delaying to collecting your things. Once you’re out, move to a safe place away from the building.
Smoking within your villa or accommodation is a big no-no, we’re afraid. In areas where smoking is allowed, please just make sure that cigarette stubs and ash are disposed of carefully.
Florida
When you’re out enjoying Florida’s lagoons always remember that alligators might not be too far away! Make sure you look out for and follow safety signage around the water. Swimming in areas where alligators may be present is absolutely prohibited. Please stay away from the edge of the lagoons and make sure that children are accompanied and supervised at all times.
Gas Safety
Some of our villas have gas appliances. If you have any concerns about them or think that there might be a problem then open all of the doors and windows, leave the properly and get in touch straight away with your villa manager or local contact. Don’t, whatever you do, try and locate a gas leak yourself.
General Safety
As a general rule, please make sure you take the care and caution that you would at home, while thinking carefully on the points we’ve mentioned in this document. When you get to your villa make sure you familiarise yourself with the accommodation’s facilities and safety features.
Please don’t try to fix anything on your own - no matter how DIY savvy you are. If you notice anything broken or hazardous please let your villa manager or local contact know.
Tiles or marble floors can be very slippery when wet, particularly the tiles around the poolside. Please take extra care and walk (not run!) around the poolside.
Holiday Resorts & Facilities
All the facilities listed are provided by the resort itself. The management team there is responsible for the quality and running of facilities, services and staff.
Local attractions / activities / excursions
All local attractions referred to are independent and provided by third party suppliers and not James Villas.
Out & About
When you’re out and about, try not to carry more money that you need. If you do need to carry a large amount of cash it’s a good idea to split it with a friend or your partner. Divide up the money that you carry too; keep some in your wallet, some in a money belt and some in an inside pocket.
You also need to know that in some countries traffic isn’t required to stop at pedestrian crossings. Always wear a seat belt, and when hiring a car be sure to carry emergency/breakdown telephone numbers.
Stair Safety
Many of our villas have steps, either inside or out in the villa grounds. These can be steep, and might become slippery if it’s damp or raining. Please do take care while you’re moving about, and make sure that your feet (and the kids’ feet!) are properly dry after swimming or bathing.
Swimming Pool Safety
Please keep a close eye on your children in and around the pool area at all times. Make sure you and they know the pool depths, and please don’t swim at night or under the influence of alcohol. Diving is also not permitted in any of our swimming pools. Make sure you dry your ears well too once you get out, as trapped water can often be the cause of ear infections.
Have you booked a villa with an infinity or horizon pool? These offer incredible views, but because of their design they sometimes have quite a drop from the infinity edge. Please then take extra care with children and don’t use inflatables in these pools. Please don’t stand, walk or lean on the infinity edge.
Telephones
Telephones aren’t supplied in our properties, unless the villa description says otherwise. In Holiday Resorts phones might be provided for internal resort calls. Therefore we recommend that you take a mobile phone along, just in case you need to make a call in an emergency.
Water Safety
Did you know that in some destinations the tap water may not be suitable to drink? Therefore we recommend that you drink bottled water while you’re away.
Sustainable Tourism
More and more people are travelling abroad every year. While this brings many benefits to everyone involved, there is also concern about the negative impacts on the environment and culture of holiday destinations. We’re well aware of the vital role the holiday industry has to play in sustaining and improving the environment, for many generations to come. That’s why our brochures and magazines are made from paper that has chain of custody certification, and ensures all wood is from sustainable, managed forestation.
It’s also why we introduced the James Villas Green Scheme in 2016, offering holidays with more sustainable accommodation options that protect and respect their local environment, the people who work for them and their local communities. The scheme encourages owners and suppliers to take extra steps towards being kinder to the environment and rewards them for their achievements. Take a look at our collection of green properties, which have passed the criteria for the James Villas Green Scheme.
Additional Travel advice
We work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for advice and the latest information about specific countries.
Useful websites & travel advice while abroad:
The Foreign and Commonwealth office provides advice on local laws and customs for driving while abroad, eating and drinking safely and health etc. Please be sure to familiarise yourself with the laws of the country you are visiting, especially driving laws if you are taking or hiring a car.
More info: gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad
The NATHNAC (National Travel Health Network and Centre) website provides general travel advice and tips for staying safe while abroad. Take extra care while you’re away and ensure that children remain supervised at all times.
More info: nathnac.org
