020 8418 2500

Accommodation

Never leave your key where someone can note the room number. Do not leave your window open, especially if your room is on the ground floor or has a balcony. Remember to lock your room door, even when you are inside the room.

All Inclusive hotels: When you arrive at your hotel you are likely to be provided with some form of identification (for example, a card, necklace or bracelet) which will have to be shown when ordering drinks, meals and other included facilities. ensure that yu take care of this as a penalty charge may be imposed if lost. Having some alcoholic drinks freely available throughout the day can be a temptation to over-indulge. please therefore consider your fellow guests and your own health, and bear in mind that hotel managements have the right to refuse service to guests they believe to be intoxicated or under age (in accordance with local law).

Credit cards: It is standard practice worldwide for a hotel to ask for a credit card imprint to cover incidentals like like room service, telephone calls or other hotel service being charged to our room. If you do not have a card and wish to use the charging facility, a cash deposit will be required.

Balconies: The design and height of balconies may differ - children should NEVER be left unsupervised on balconies. Do not climb or stand on balcony or furniture, and keep all furniture away from the railings or edge of the balcony so that young children are not encouraged to climb up. Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony wall/railings, and do not attempt to jump between balconies.

Bathrooms: Please take extra care when floors become wet to ensure that you do not slip. Condensation and water spray can make surface slippery and bath floor mats may not be provided. Do not use mains electrical appliances near water.

Lifts: For your own safety, do not smoke inside lifts and do not use in the event of a fire. Children must always be accompanied by an adult when using lifts. Not all lifts have internal doors-when using this type of lift stand well back from the exposed wall as there is no protection from the lift shaft when the car is motion.

Cots & Highchairs: Safety requirements for these differ overseas. Please ensure the cots and highchairs are safe and sturdy before use.

Fire Safety: Please read all fire safety notices carefully. On arrival, always familiarise yourself with emergency exit routes, the location of fire extinguishires and alarm call points - you will usually find your exit route detailed on the back of your room door. Ensure that all smoking materials are safely extinguished and do not smoke in bed.

If a fire occurs evacuate the room/area immediately-do not stop to collect personal belongings. Close any doors behind you, raise the alarm and proceed to an assembly point outside and well clear of the building. If you cannot leave your room, close all doors, put wet towels or clothes around the door seals and shout for help from the window or telephone reception.

It is quite easy to over-indulge whilst on holiday. We suggest that you maintain similar eating and drinking patterns that you follow at home. Take it easy, as you may find that indulging, together with the heat will make you feel unwell, lethargic and cause stomach upsets.

Food: Many new foods will be on offer to you in resort. If there is food at home that disagrees with you, (i.e. spicy food), it is most likely that it will disagree with you on holiday too. Please take care when sampling local dishes. Make sure that your food has been cooked thoroughly and is still hot when served or chilled as appropriate. Avoid any uncooked food (apart from fruits and vegetables, food that can be peeled or shelled).

Drink: We advise you to only drink bottled water, making sure that the seal of the bottle is intact. It is very important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. DO NOT drink tap water or and avoid ice in your drinks. Alcohol is best avoided whilst sunbathing or before swimming as it speeds up the dehydration process.

If you become unwell with dehydration or stomach upsets, please refer to the doctor in the hotel as soon as possible.

Drugs

We advise you to have nothing to do with drug. Possesion of even small amounts for personal use may result in severe penalties, including the death sentence in some countries.

Insects
In case of need we advise you to take with you a suitable insect repellent.

Personal Safety

Prior to undertaking any activity whilst on holiday, please ensure that you are adaquately covered by the terms and conditions of your travel insurance company. We act as an agents on excursions and activities for independent loacl suppliers and we endeavour to promote appropriate safety standards. Many locally based excursion operators do not have any insurance or basic safety standards. We recommend you do not book any tours with these suppliers. Should you choose to organise excursions with these suppliers, please check that their insurance and safety standards are satisfactory. Many activities may be considered high risk or hazardous, and may not be covered under the terms of standard travel insurance, so please check that you are covered before before participating.

Avoid walking in poorly lit areas. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less control and less aware of your environment. never accept a lift from an unlicensed taxi, stranger or someone you do not completely trust.

Please take care of your valuables at all times, as unfortunately there are always some 'undesirables' wherever you travel. Look after your belongings and only take with you what you need for the day. Avoid carrying too much money or wearing excess jewellery when you are out and about and keep valuable items close to you at all times-ensure wallets and purses are not easily accesible. check that your room is left secure when going out. Passports, flight tickets, credit cards, travellers cheques, money and other valuables should be locked in a safety deposit box. These are usually available in your hotel room or from reception of your hotel and their use can be a condition made by your travel insurance company. Please remember to check and empty your safe before leaving resort to return home.

Swimming Pools and Watersports

Swimming pools and all water sports can be dangerous, but following simple rules will help you to safely enjoy your time at the pool. Lifeguards are not always employed by hotels and therefore you need to adopt a sensible attitude around the pool. In the event of an emergency, know how to summon help:

• Do not swim (or allow children to swim) if suffering from a stomach upset
• Pool surrounds can be very slippery, do not run in these areas
• Shower before entering the pool to help prevent any potential infections and keep the pool clean.
• Always supervise children
• Ensure the children use the toilet before entering the pool and take regular toilet breaks. In the event of a faecal accident in or around the pool, please report it immediately to assist the hotel management in ensuring the highest levels of pool hygiene. Do not change nappies at the poolside
• Young children and babies must wear appropriate swimwear e.g. rubber lined swimming trunks. Swimming in nappies at the poolside.
• Take care if diving that the water is deep enough and that there are no underwater hazards
• Avoid unruly behaviour and observe pool rules and information signs at all times
  
• Take notice of the instructions provided by the hotel
• Always check the pool design and layout before use; check your height in relation to pool depth (metric) and find out where deep or shallow areas are, plus any slopes or steps.
• Check your height in relation to pool depth (metric)
• Never dive from the poolside into less than 1.5m of water and never dive from bridges, rocks or decorative features or from poolside furniture
• Do not use the pool if you cannot see the bottom
• Do not swim immediately after eating and drinking; never swim when you have been drinking alcohol
• Do not swim at night or when the pool is closed, even if it has underwater lighting.

Sunshine

Everybody likes to go home with a tan, but the strong sunshine & high temperatures can be dangerous. Take it easy during the first few days of your stay, and build up your tan gradually.

Ensure you always use a high factor sunscreen and re-apply frequently

Avoid sun during the middle of the day, or cover up with loose comfortable clothing and wear a hat

Do not expose babies or young children to sunlight

Protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses

Drink plenty of water during the day

Remember that you can still burn, dehydrate and get sunstroke in the shade and in the sea/pool. If you do burn, apply cool water and cover the burn with light gauze to allow the skin to breathe. If there is an infection, seek medical advice - doctors are available and should be contacted via your hotel. Longwood representatives cannot distribute medicine or offer medical advice, however they can point you in the right direction of the nearest pharmacy or contact the doctor for you.

Playing and being on the beach can be great fun, however tide, winds, currents and local conditions can turn the safest looking beach into a hazard. We offer the following advice for staying safe whilst on the beach. Follow the 4 point National Water Safety Code fro staying safe whilst on the beach:

Spot the dangers: Check if the beach when you arrive, take care when bathing and swimming, be aware of dangerous rip currents and strong tides and do not swim near or dive from rocks, piers, breakwaters and coral.

Take Safety Advice: Swim where there is a lifeguard on patrol (where available) take their advice. look out for information such as warning flags and signs and adhere to them at all times. Never swim where a sign says not to, for example zoned areas for high speed vehicles such as jet boats or jet skis.

Don't Go Alone: Never swim alone - make sure there are other people around. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Never swim at night, after drinking alcohol or on a full stomach.

Learn How to Help: If you see someone indifficulty, tell somebody, preferably a lifeguard if there is one nearby. Find out what to do in an emergency - call the local coastguard or equivalent, and alert the hotel staff.

• Don't walk on the coral, even with protective footwear. Apart from hurting your feet, you will also damage, or even kill, the coral itself
• Don't touch the coral, shells or marine life when swimming, snorkelling or diving; it's dangerous for both you and the coral
• Don't feed the fish or other marine life
• Don't leave any litter on the beach, including cigarette butts and leftover food.
• If out on aboat, never throw anything overboard, and be sure to observe the captain's instructions regarding the toilet

Please not that all corals are protected and the removal of any marine life is illegal. Tourist police carry out extensive checks at airports and anybody found to have removed these items will be subject to very heavy fines and imprisonment.

Longwood's dive team paricipate in some clean-up initiatives in Egypt; If you are a diver and would like to get involved, contact us on 020 8418 2570.

Diving

It is responsibility to ensure you are fit to dive. If you are unsure, please see the PADI medical statement in our brochure or on our website and contact your GP to arrange a medical prior to your departure. Only dive within the limits of your training and do not dive for a minimum of 24 hours prior to taking a flight. Please see our dive brochure for full checklist of all matters relating to diving.

Children are naturally excited and curious. They forget where they are and have no fear. At the start of your holiday please take some time to explain to your children about safety in and around your hotel. Bring to their attention glass doors, balconies etc and please ensure that they are supervised by you at all times, especially whilst in the pool, on the beach, in play areas and in lifts, in restaurants and in all public areas.

Out & About in Resort

Please be aware that paving can be quite uneven at times and kerbs can be much higher and care should be taken whilst walking around the resort. In some resorts you may be approached by locals with a view to showing you around and claim to work for Longwood Holidays or your hotel. You will not be approached in this manner by genuine staff so please take care. A firm but polite “No Thank you” could save you a headache in the long run. Please take note of local customs and culture so that your dress and actions do not cause offence. Further informtaion on your chosen destinaton can be found on our website and in our brochures.

Pedestrian Road Safety

Please be vigilant at all times. Take extra care when crossing roads - familiarise yourself with the direction of traffic, and be aware of different driving standards and speeds used abroad.

Driving Abroad: Conditions, speed limits and road structures/signage are very different to that used in the UK. Please note that some countries you will require a valid international driving license should you wish to drive; please check the requirements fro your destination before deparure. We do not recommend car hire in Egypt, but should you wish to do so, you should be wary of convoy and visa restrictions, which are enforced by local military police. Please hire a car from a reputable company (your representative can point you in the right direction) although it is not something we recommend in some destinations. Please speak to your local representative for more details about this issue. REMEMBER, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE AND ALWAYS WEAR A SEATBELT.

Mopeds and Motorbikes: We do not recommend the hire of mopeds or motorbikes in any of the destinations that we feature.

Injury: Any issues regarding accidents or injury should be reported immediately to the hotel or excursion provider and also to our resort representative. The report issued by us will be for internal use only.

If you have any queries regarding these or any other health and safety matters that you wish to bring to our attention, please speak to your local representative or contact us in writing upon your return to the UK.
 

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