17 million chefs on 'the sauce'

17 million people (34 per cent) in the last year have attempted to cook after consuming more than two alcoholic drinks, according to research from Direct Line home insurance. It appears the antics of celebrity chefs, who are often featured glugging from a glass of wine as they cook, are encouraging amateur chefs to hit ‘the sauce'. Inebriated professionals are one of the most at risk groups as they are most likely to cook at home after coming in from a night out rather than hitting the take-away on the way home.
 
It is not just cooks that are hitting the bottle; it seems the British gardener may be greener around the gills than green fingered.  Almost one in 10 (nine per cent) people admit to having been gardening in the last year after downing more than two alcoholic drinks.  If someone consumes this volume of alcohol and takes a ride on a petrol engine lawn mower on the public highway they could be prosecuted for drink driving offences and lose their licence.  
 
The consumption of more than two drinks is likely to impair an average person's judgement considerably and it is potentially dangerous if they are operating equipment such as fat fryers, electric carving knives, chainsaws or strimmers.
 
Paul Braithwaite, home insurance claims manager at Direct Line, comments: "While people may think they are fine to fire up the fryer or trim the hedge after a couple of beers, they need to remember their ability to operate this equipment will be impaired after just a couple of alcoholic drinks.  People are putting themselves at increased risk of injury in the kitchen, or setting their home on fire if they fall asleep with the cooker on, after consuming alcohol."