Home damage peaks with Christmas pre-going-out parties Insurance News

Home damage peaks with Christmas pre-going-out parties

Written on December 18, 2010 – 6:17 am | by Hunter Rankine

Damage to Britain’s homes caused by beauty products cost an estimated £1.4 billion over the past 12 months, with the Christmas party season a particularly treacherous period for spillages, stains and worse.

According to research from Halifax Home Insurance, accidents commonly occur during “pre-going-out” parties and the bill could top £115 million in the run up to Christmas.

The insurer found that make-up stains cause 17% of damage; fake tan/hair dye 11% and nail varnish 8%.

Burn marks caused by hair straighteners are also common, with an incidence of 5%, and even going-out shoes can create mayhem as stiletto heels wreck floors.

The level of alcohol consumption at pre-night-out parties is partly to blame, with more than a third of adults saying they drink at home in advance, in order to save money at the bar.

However, the growing trend for “sofa-lising” on Saturday nights, which involves watching TV programmes such as X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing with friends, presents another hazard, costing an estimated £820 million in the past year for drink spillages on carpets and electrical equipment.

Young women in their early 20s are particularly accident prone, the research suggests.

Halifax Home Insurance senior claims manager, Martyn Foulds, comments: “The rise in popularity of ‘sofa-lising’ and drinking at home before going out has significantly increased the likelihood of home accidents, so while many will stay home to try and save money, it may prove to be a false economy if careless behaviour ends up costing them more.”

Halifax recommends homeowners check their policies to ensure they are fully covered against accidental damage.

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