Tearaway toddlers wreak havoc on UK homes

A new report from Direct Line Home Response 24, polling homeowners with young children under five, demonstrated that almost two thirds (60%) of parents say their troublesome tots’ destructive play has damaged their homes.

The findings reveal that one in 10 of these parents reckon that their toddlers’ fascination with causing damage, such as ripping wallpaper (43%) and redecorating the home (9%) has reduced the value of their home by an estimated average of almost £2,000.

Top toddlers’ tricks

Ranking - Type of damage
1. Food spills/ stains on carpets (78%)
2. Scribbles on the walls (76%)
3. (=) Scuffed walls (51%)
3. (=) Other stains on carpets (51%)
5. Ripped wall paper (43%)
6. (=) Pulled up plants in the garden (35%)
6. (=) Damaged the furniture (35%)
8. Drawn on carpet (29%)
9. Tampered with electrical equipment (11%)
10. Painted the fixtures and fittings in the home e.g. bath tub (9%)
11. Broken a window (2%)

The writing’s on the wall…and the carpet!

As well as the normal mess that toddlers make from food and drink, many children are unleashing their artistic streak on furnishings around the home. Three quarters (76%) of parents with troublesome tots have found their budding Michelangelos have scribbled on the walls, nearly three in ten (29%) have drawn on the carpet and nearly one in ten (9%) have painted the fixtures and fittings.

It seems that toddlers’ destructive element is not just confined to the home. Over three in ten (35%) parents with destructive kids have found their toddlers turning their hand to a spot of gardening by rearranging plants and shrubs, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Andrew Lowe at Direct Line Home Response 24, comments: “We understand that homes are prone to toddler damage, indeed, our research has shown most toddlers have caused some form of destruction.

“And while it is impossible to put measures in place that make a home toddler-proof, we recommend all parents ensure they have sufficient insurance to cover possible accidents and make sure any repairs are carried out by qualified tradesmen.”

‘Kiddy clutter’

It’s not just toddlers’ antics that cause actual damage to the home, their presence is obvious from their mess alone. The majority of parents surveyed (63%) claim their children’s toys and accessories make the home feel cluttered whilst over half of parents (54%) think it makes their homes look untidy. 12% of parents even go as far as to say that ‘kiddy clutter’ takes up so much space that the features of the property are hidden. Four in ten (40%) parents claim they sometimes feel embarrassed about the condition of their home because of the effects of their children, 14% so much so that they have even decided not to invite people into their home.