Every year, millions of British families look forward to a family getaway. Although most trips occur without incident or illness, if your youngest family members do become ill it can be a particularly distressing experience.
Unfortunately, at Your Holiday Claims we regularly hear from British families who have fallen ill on holiday. We have represented hundreds of families on a no win, no fee basis following holiday illness, helping them receive the compensation they deserve.
Expert holiday illness advice: The three P’s – Prepare, Pack, Prevent
Our dedicated solicitors have used their wealth of holiday illness claim knowledge to compile some helpful hints for avoiding child illness on holiday.
According to Anne Thomson, head of travel law at Your Holiday Claims, avoiding child illness on holiday could be as easy as one, two, three if you follow the three P’s of prepare, pack and prevent.
- Prepare
Once you have booked your family holiday, prepare. Young children are particularly at risk of infection due to their undeveloped immune systems and travel to foreign climes can introduce them to new pathogens.
Certain destinations require immunisations or vaccinations. These vaccinations will need to be booked with a doctor prior to travel. It is best practice to contact your doctor’s surgery 3 months before travel.
It is also wise to take out travel insurance before you travel and ensure that all family members are covered by the policy.
- Pack
A well-stocked medicine bag can often help ease the symptoms of illness if your child becomes ill on holiday.
Essentials such as children’s paracetamol and ibuprofen can help tackle fevers whilst antidiarrheal medication and rehydration solutions can help with gastric upsets. Plasters and antiseptic cream are also essential items.
If your child currently takes medication, be sure to order extra supplies to cover your period of travel.
It may sound simple, but wear sunscreen. Children can quickly be overcome by heat. Ensure you pack plenty of sunscreen with a high SPF and a sun hat.
- Prevent
You’ve had your relevant vaccinations and your suitcase resembles a miniature travelling pharmacy – what else can you do to avoid child illness on holiday? Prevent – by this we mean take certain measures to hopefully ensure illness does not ruin your holiday for your family.
Our experts at Your Holiday Claims are regularly contacted by British holidaymakers who have observed alarming hygiene practices in relation to food preparation and pool cleanliness. It is well known that a lack of hygiene can lead to the spread of infection and large scale outbreaks of illness. Children can be particularly susceptible to illness outbreaks.
If you note anything that causes you concern on your family holiday, report it to the hotel and your tour operator representative. If you can, document your concerns in a diary or use a camera to capture images and video.
Contact our Holiday Illness Claims Solicitors
Despite your best intentions and efforts, child illness can still occur on your package holiday. Our holiday illness claims solicitors will pursue the tour operator on your behalf right from initial contact to final settlement.
With over 50 years’ experience in holiday illness claims, our experts at Your Holiday Claims have an unrivalled holiday illness claim success rate.
If your family has suffered illness on a package holiday within the last 3 years, call 0330 100 2851 today to start your no win, no fee claim. Or, simply complete our quick online contact form and an expert solicitor will be in touch with you within 24 hours.
