'Heavy Weekends' Drive Up Home Accidents

Weekend excess has made Monday the peak day for domestic accidents, according to new figures. Claims data for the last three years released today by Halifax Home Insurance (http://www.halifax.co.uk/insurance/homeandcontentshome.asp) reveal that a third (32 per cent) more accidents happen on Monday morning than any other weekday(1).

And the research, conducted as part of the insurer's Peace of Mind Campaign, suggest that heavy weekends are fuelling the problem(2), with 1.1 million under-30s suffering 'hangover-driven' accidents last year(3).

The negative effects of sleeplessness and excessive alcohol consumption are backed by psychologists, who report that impaired awareness combined with the Monday morning 'rush' to work significantly heighten the risk of home accidents.

The most common of these Monday morning mishaps include starting fires with hair straighteners, letting the bath overflow and spilling hot drinks on laptops or televisions(4).

Analysis of claims data also reveals the extent of 'Monday clumsiness', with examples of drivers reversing into garage doors, i-Pods dropped into the toilet and hasty homeowners running into and shattering conservatory doors(5).

Commenting on the phenomenon, psychologist Glenn Wilson said: "People have a good time over the weekend to escape the pressure of the working week. The corollary is that Mondays are marked by low performance and inattentiveness as the body and brain struggle to recover."

And it's not just the under-30s who are particularly susceptible to experiencing manic Monday's. Residents of Yorkshire and London are nearly twice as likely to have an Monday accident, primarily due to the fact that they enjoy more weekend nights out that their fellow Brits.

Martyn Foulds, senior claim managger at Halifax Home Insurance said: "Study of claims data showed a considerable spike in the number of accidents that happen on a Monday and it's interesting to see why."

"Whilst we want everyone to enjoy their weekends after a tough week, we understand the importance of a safe home, and are urging people to take extra care on Mondays when they might not be operating at 100%."

For more advice on coping with Monday mishaps, including tips from psychologist Glenn Wilson, visit the Halifax Home matters (http://insurance.halifax.co.uk/) site.

Incidents of 'Monday mishaps' by region (Percentage of population experiencing accident on a Monday in last 12 months) 1- Yorkshire - 29% 2- London - 27% 3- Central Scotland - 27% 4- East Anglia - 24% 5- South East - 20% 6- Midlands - 17% 7- South West - 14% 8- North Scotland - 14% 9- North East - 13% 10- Wales - 10% 11- North West - 8%

Top tips to avoid a Monday mishap Cut out the caffeine - avoid large quantities of caffeine (especially late in the day as it can disturb sleeping patterns Don't be busy at bed time - avoid doing anything to stimulating before bed, including exercise, watching violent television programmes or computer games, rich foods or smoking Early starts - regardless of what time you go to bed, set your alarm early to allow yourself plenty of time to get ready for work in the morning to avoid a rush Feed and water your brain - be sure to drink plenty of water and eat a healthy breakfast - the brain can't function properly on an empty stomach Brain workout - consider some simply mental exercises to sharpen your mind on a Monday, such as a Sudoku or crosswordFootnotes: 1. 18 per cent of accidents occur on Mondays (Halifax Home Insurance Claims figs - last three years). The chance of claiming on any other day is 13.6 per cent. Therefore you are 32 per cent more likely to claim on a Monday. 2. Throughout the research, those who had more weekends out with excessive alcohol consumption and/or late nights were more likely to have accidents on Monday mornings. 3. There are approximately 9.7 million under 30s in the UK. Of these, 31 per cent have suffered some sort of accident on a Monday = 3 million. Of these 37 per cent blame their heavy weekend (over drinking and/or lack of sleep) on the accident = 1.1 million. 4. Of the 1.1 million hangover related accidents, 5 per cent spilt drinks on electrical equipment, 3 per cent let the bath overflow, and 1 per cent started a fire with hair straighteners. 5. HBOS claims data for Monday claims.