Important Villa Information

Please take the time on arrival to familiarize yourself with the safety features and layout of the holiday accommodation. In particular, if you are traveling with children, please take the time to point out to them any areas in which they should take particular care with, such as the pool or the balconies. If you should have any questions or concerns in this regard, your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative will be happy to assist. If you have any concerns, please call her/him on the number found in your travel documents and villa manual.

Villa and Safety

We do not claim that any villa is totally child-friendly or safe, therefore, care should always be taken by the parents and family, especially around the pool area where children should be supervised at all times. Some villas are better suited than others for the less mobile or for families with young children, so we advise you to inquire about the suitability of the property before you book. Despite our efforts and given advice, it is ultimately your responsibility for the care and safety of the members of your group.

Many terrace walls are 90cms to 1 meter high, whilst others may be less. There may also be roof terraces with low walls, where, in most cases, we ensure these are gated or blocked off. However, depending on the layout and design of the property this may not always be possible.

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

The ground surface inside and outside of your holiday accommodation 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 take the necessary steps to ensure your 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.

In the event of a fire, you should immediately vacate the holiday accommodation ensuring all members of your party have been evacuated and are safe. After accounting for the members of your party, call the emergency services and your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative.

If you have any concerns about the safety of your accommodation please contact your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative immediately. Any genuine problems brought to our attention will be dealt with as quickly as is locally possible, if feasible.

Should you have an accident anywhere, in or around the villa, you must report this straight away to your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative.

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 a 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 your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative immediately.

Some pools now have salt-water filtration systems as opposed to chlorine treatments.

Please ensure that the holiday accommodation you choose to book is suitable for your requirements regarding children and non-swimmers.

The swimming pool is an essential part of holidaying for many people, but keep in mind that, misused, it can be dangerous. However, by applying just a few simple common sense rules, you can be sure to safely enjoy your time in the pool:

• Please observe our strict no diving policy in all swimming pools.
• Do not run around the poolside, 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 Gabi Miguel Lda 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-waterproof 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 ultraviolet 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 Gabi Miguel Lda Representative. Any fault with the pool or its equipment will be inspected and immediate action is taken to correct the problem. If in the opinion of the Representative, the pool must be closed for your safety until a repair is facilitated, you will be instructed in writing to cease using the pool.

Swimming pool safety fences (permanent)

Some of our accommodation feature a swimming pool fence (where stated in its description).
A pool fence is not a substitute for parental supervision and parents should supervise children around the pool area at all times. Please bear in mind that it may be possible for an unsupervised child to lift the fences out of the ground supports, to push or pull a pool fence over, or to pull any gaps apart. The pool fences are designed, manufactured and installed with the sole intention to stop toddlers from wandering into an unprotected pool area. Please always ensure the locking mechanism on the pool gate is working and never leave the gate open.

Infinity or Spill Over Swimming Pools

Some of our villas feature an infinity or spill over the pool, which means one side of the pool is a waterfall with no barrier. When you are swimming, the blue of the pool meets the blue of the sky or sea, which aesthetically is very pleasing. 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 villa’s swimming pool.

Swimming Pool Water Color 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 discolor. Many items of swimwear carry warnings to this effect, and Gabi Miguel Lda 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 colors 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 which can resolve this problem are available in most supermarkets or chemists abroad.

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 codes. Should you have any concerns consult a qualified authority or your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative.

Linen

Linen is supplied. Should any person in your party have allergies to washing substances, please make sure you bring your own linen.

Gas Supply

We insist that all our villas with gas installations are regularly inspected by a qualified gas safety engineer and a worthiness certificate is issued.

Eye Protection

In holiday destinations it is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun. We recommend that prior to traveling you contact an ‘eye professional’ for advice on how to minimize 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 have become an unfortunate fact of life and you have to exercise the same care for your personal safety whilst on holiday, as you would do at home. All clients should be extra vigilant and ensure that great care is taken of your holiday accommodation. Be sure to close and lock all the accommodation windows, shutters and doors at night. You should lock your accommodation when you are relaxing around the swimming pool, or perhaps enjoying an afternoon snooze or siesta.

Please use the safe provided to store any valuables, including passports and air tickets. If you do not use the free safe provided, you may invalidate any insurance claim that you may have. Some villas have an alarm, so where available, please make sure use it when you leave the villa. Do not take large amounts of cash with you, instead, you can use most credit or debit cards to obtain cash from cash point machines.

In the event of theft, report this to your local police and inform your Gabi Miguel Lda Representative. Be sure you obtain a Police report covering the incident or loss, in order to make a claim on your travel insurance. Please be aware it can take a considerable time to make a Police report and, in some resorts, you will need the help of a professional translator for which a charge will apply. Please note we do not offer compensation resulting from activities of theft, nor accept any responsibility for such matters.

Children’s Safety

Gabi Miguel Lda does not claim that any accommodation is totally child-friendly or safe and care should always be taken, especially around the pool area, balconies, main roads, unfenced areas, etc. with supervision being given to children at all times. Some Accommodation is better suited than others for young children and the less mobile. The Customer should fully investigate the suitability of the accommodation before booking. Parents are responsible for the actions of their children at all times.

Road Safety

The rules of the road may differ from country to country, so 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 or the European Union’s official website at http://europa.eu/travel/index_en.htm for people traveling in the 27 countries of the EU.

Updates to this Health & Safety

We reserve the right to update our Health & Safety from time to time. The Health & Safety updates will be posted on this page, with a clear indication of its revision date.