News

Health and Safety

This Health & Safety information, together with the Useful Information section and Booking Conditions contained on our website, will form the basis of your agreement with SPECIAL LOCATIONS API Ltd ('the Company'). "They apply only to holiday arrangements which you book with us and which we agree to make, provide or perform as applicable as part of our agreement with you and which you agree to be bound by upon using this website and your arrangements and/or agreements with us.
Please note, it is the requirements and standards of the country in which any services which make up your holiday are provided which apply to those services and not those of the UK. As a general rule, these requirements and standards will not be the same as the UK and may sometimes be lower.

IMPORTANT VILLA INFORMATION

Please take the time on arrival to familiarise yourself with the safety features and layout of the villa. In particular if you are travelling with children, please take the time to point out to them any areas in which they should take particular care such as the pool or on balconies. If you should have any questions or concerns in this regard, our Villa Representative will be happy to assist.

VILLA AND SAFETY

We aim to ensure that all of our villas are as child friendly as possible. However, care should always be taken, especially round the pool area with supervision being given to children at all times. We do sell holidays aimed at families and make efforts to ensure that reasonable care has been taken to address matters within the borders of the properties. Some villas are better suited than others for young children and the less mobile, so we advise you to fully investigate the suitability of the property before you book.

Telephone us and ask as many questions as you want. If something is important to you, do not assume but discuss with a member of our reservation team who will assist you with your query.

Despite our efforts and advice given, it is ultimately your responsibility for the care and safety of the members of your group.

Should you have an accident anywhere in or around the villa you must report this straight away to your Villa Representative or our team in one of our offices.

Many single storey villas have several steps inside them and gardens may have some drops or slopes. Several villas have staircases that can be steep and occasionally low head heights.

The ground surface inside and outside the villa may be wet due to the maid cleaning them on arrival, departure and any other day when the maid service is carried out. Be aware of the ground condition at all times and be cautious by taking the necessary steps to ensure you safety and especially that of children and the elderly. At other times, ground areas open to the elements or subject to dousing in water from the swimming pool may be wet and caution is required at all times. We insist that all our villas with gas installations have been inspected by a qualified gas safety engineer and carbon monoxide detectors are installed for your reassurance.

SWIMMING POOLS

The pool sizes in our descriptions are approximate and for guidance only. Some pools are irregular shaped and have been measured at the longest and widest points. Pools are maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. A pool net is provided, and it is normal custom for clients to remove any debris such as leaves and twigs. Occasionally, due to extensive use of the pool, water in the ears can cause an ear infection, especially with children. This does not necessarily mean the pool does not have the correct level of chlorine but it should immediately be checked out. A simple precautionary measure is to dry your ears well after you leave the pool to ensure you remove any trapped water that may become infected. If you have any concerns about your pool, contact our special Locations Representative immediately. Some pools now have salt-water filtration systems as opposed to using chlorine.

Please ensure that the villa you book is suitable for your requirements regarding children and non-swimmers. Do not run around the pool side, this especially applies to children with wet feet. Some areas may be slippery when wet. Do not go out of your depth and know your own limits. Do not swim if you cannot see the bottom of the pool. If this is the case contact your representative as soon as possible. Heavy weather or thunderstorms can cause pools to turn cloudy. Cloudiness can also be caused by excess suntan oil, especially when non water proof types are used. Please remember that use of the poolside shower before swimming can help to keep the pool clean. Children and fair skinned people should wear a hat and T-shirt whilst in the pool as harmful ultra violet rays can penetrate water up to a depth of 1.5m and are reflected off the water surface.

Beware of dangerous surfaces, drainage channels slippery tiles or raised edges.

Always supervise children and non-swimmers in and around the pool area.

Avoid swimming if you have been drinking alcohol, especially late at night. Do not swim within 1 hour of eating, it can be fatal.

SWIMMING POOL ACCIDENT OR CLOSURE

In the event of an accident in or around the immediate area of the pool, you must report this straight away to your Villa Representative, Villa owner or a member of our team who will attend the villa. Any fault with the pool or its equipment will be inspected and immediate action taken to correct the problem. If, in the opinion of the special locations Representative, Villa owner or a member of our team the pool must be closed for your safety until a repair is facilitated, you will be instructed in writing to cease using the pool. In the case of swimming pool closure for whatever reason, our liability shall not exceed 33% of the villa rental portion of the holiday cost during that time.

INFINITY OR SPILL OVER SWIMMING POOLS

Some of our villas feature infinity or spill over pool, which means one side of the pool is a water fall with no barrier. These pools are safe but care should be taken regarding children. If you have any doubts about the suitability of this type of pool, please enquire at the time of booking for details of your chosen villas pool.

SWIMMING POOL WATER/COLOUR EFFECT

Chlorine is a natural bleaching agent. The more the pool is used and the warmer the weather, the more chemicals are required to keep swimming pool water safe to use. This can react with certain fabrics and dyes used on them, causing them to lighten or discolour. Many items of swimwear carry warnings to this effect and Special Locations-API ltd does not accept any responsibility for any damage caused to client's property, whilst complying with our contractual obligations to ensure your swimming pool remains safe to use. We would advise that certain colours of blonde hair may also develop a green tinge. This reaction is natural and does not mean the chemical balance of water is incorrect. Please ensure you rinse your hair thoroughly in fresh water after using the pool. Shampoos are available both in the UK and in most supermarkets or chemists abroad which can resolve this problem.

GLASS WINDOWS AND DOORS

Please be very careful with windows, especially full length glass patio doors. The glass may not be toughened and occasionally, in a strange environment, accidents occur more easily than they can do so at home.

LOCAL BEACHES

Please be aware of the local safety precautions when you visit the beaches. At all times for your own safety comply with the suggestions of local lifeguards, warning notices or flag systems.

GAS SUPPLY

Where gas water heaters are used in villas, they are subject to an inspection by local qualified engineers and a worthiness certificate issued. For additional peace of mind, a carbon monoxide detector will be provided.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition which has the potential to affect travellers regardless of mode of transport. The risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is extremely low. However any travel involving prolonged immobility can result in DVT. This occurs when a blood clot forms, usually in the lower leg. This is a serious medical condition, and needs treatment with blood thinning drugs or anticoagulants to prevent clots breaking off from the DVT and travelling to the lungs causing significant illness and, on rare occasions, death. People at increased risk include those with a history of thrombosis, those taking an oral contraceptive pill or who are pregnant, those recently hospitalised, smokers, the obese, some patients with congestive heart failure and people with malignant disease. Dehydration may exacerbate the problem. Here are a few suggestions, which may help to make your journey more comfortable and reduce the risk:

Drink plenty of water and limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Avoid smoking before travel.

Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes.

Try to walk around the cabin at regular intervals.

Avoid crossing your legs.

Remember to pack any prescription medicine in your hand baggage and take it in accordance with your doctor's instructions

EYE PROTECTION

In holiday destinations it is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun. We recommend that prior to travel you contact an 'eye professional' for advice on how to minimise your risk.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If you or any member of your party has a medical condition we suggest you contact your travel insurance company at the time of booking, to report any pre-existing condition. Thus you can ensure you are covered for all eventualities.

SECURITY

Crimes against people and property are a fact of life and you have the same responsibility for your personal safety as you do at home. All clients should be extra vigilant and ensure great care is taken of your property. Be sure to close and lock all the villas windows, shutters and doors at night and set the security devices when you are away from the villa during the day or at night time when you are in bed, depending on the type of system installed. Additionally take care to lock your villa when you are relaxing around the swimming pool. In the event of theft, report this to your local police. Be sure you obtain a police report covering the incident or loss, in order to make a claim on your holiday insurance. Please note we do not offer compensation resulting from activities of theft or accept any responsibility for such matters.

CHILDREN'S SAFETY

Ensure your children are not left unsupervised at any time and be especially careful with balconies, swimming pools and other potentially dangerous areas such as stairs. Parents are responsible for the actions of their children at all times.

ROAD SAFETY

The rules of the road are different to that of the UK and we ask you to take extra care and ensure you comply with the local regulations at all times.

TRAVEL ADVICE

Should you have any concerns about your holiday destination we suggest you contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.