Les enfants terrible

Toddlers, ‘les enfants terribles’, have caused £122 million worth of damage to their parents’ homes over the last year reveals new research published by Halifax Home Insurance.

Food, juice and paint spilled on floors and carpets ranks as the most common cause of damage according to half of parents (68%). The curse of the crayon has affected many householders, with defaced walls and paintwork the second most common cause of damage, cited by 65% of parents surveyed. Over a quarter (26%) of parents surveyed claim their tottering toddler has damaged ornaments, and the same percentage claim their toddler has broken or damaged an item of furniture.

Classed as accidental damage by insurers, boy toddlers are responsible for 20% more incidents than girls. According to Halifax Home Insurance data, the average cost of an accidental damage claim is £529.68, a significant financial outlay for householders without the right level of cover.

Almost a third (29%) of householders have had a mobile phone damaged after a toddler was attracted to its bright lights and cheery ring tones. And with an average laptop costing upwards of £699.993, the 3% of householders left with damaged computer equipment faced hefty bills for repairs or replacement of equipment.

It is not just parents’ homes that are affected; the research reveals thousands of Britons homes have been damaged by visiting toddlers. However, Britons are extremely tolerant of other peoples’ children damaging their homes, just 2% of respondents whose home had been damaged by a visiting child asked the parent to pay for repairs or replacement items.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said, “Toddlers are naturally inquisitive, full of energy and eager to explore the world around them, keeping up with them can be a full time job in itself. Raising children is expensive enough without having to find additional money to replace items that small children have accidentally damaged. Parents can protect themselves from the costs of home repairs and damaged contents by ensuring their home insurance includes accidental damage cover.”

Parents concerned about how to safely child proof their home can contact The Child Accident Prevention Trust. The trust produces guides for parents, which include simple practical steps parents can take to protect their homes and ensure their children can play in safety.