Crashin’ around the Christmas Tree

With the festive season fast approaching, many of us will be entertaining friends and family by hosting Christmas drinks parties at home. Yet one in 10 Brits admit they are most accident-prone during Christmas and therefore need to be prepared, according to research from Halifax Home Insurance.

The nationwide survey among 2,000 Brits reveals that nearly one in 10 (9%) frequently experience mishaps during yuletide celebrations at home. The most common accidents are food and drink stains on fabric or carpet (55%), followed by breakages (27%).

Worryingly, the findings also show that over two in five (41%) don't know if their home insurance covers accidental damage. Amid all the Christmas merriment, Brits could face disappointment and financial setback if they are not covered for red wine stains on sofas and carpets and breakages of valuable objects caused by crowded rooms.

Brits can potentially cause thousands of pounds of damage during house parties, and the expense is far greater if hosting numerous get-togethers during the Christmas season. Claims data from Halifax Home Insurance reveals that the average cost for an accidental damage claim in December 2007 was £525.40, rising to £555.37 in January 2008. Moreover, they also found that accidental damage claims have tended to increase significantly on January 1st over the past five years compared to the rest of the year.

Further findings from the survey confirm Britain is also a nation of butterfingers, with one in five (20%) claiming they are clumsy all the time. Females appear to be less coordinated than their male counterparts, with nearly a quarter of women (23%) considering themselves to be clumsy all the time, compared to only 13% of men. Regionally, a quarter (25%) of Brits in the North West admit to having accidents happen regularly.

Martyn Foulds, Senior Claims Manager said: "With a significant proportion of us finding that most accidents happen around Christmas, party preparation should include checking you have the appropriate home insurance for accidental damage. Christmas is always a time when people are spending money on socialising, going out for meals and buying presents for their loved ones. The last thing anyone wants to do is fork out more money than originally planned, especially in the current economic climate."

Halifax Home Insurance provides top tips on how to prevent Christmas calamities in the home:

Store valuable or fragile items in a safe place away from areas where there will be lots of people

Avoid using naked flames near curtains or flammable objects

To prevent the risk of fire, don't overload electrical sockets with fairy lights

Consider using plastic plates, cups and cutlery rather than expensive china to avoid breakages. (Added bonus: this also saves time on washing up!)

Use throws, rugs and table cloths to protect your furniture and carpets from spillages

Bear in mind the size of your house when deciding how many people to invite. Don't leave it open-ended and resist the temptation to advertise your house party on social networking sites. Recent reports have shown that this can get very out of hand!

Check with your home insurance provider that your policy covers accidental damage