NEWS COPY
Exploding drinks, wandering gnomes and a hell-raising GOAT were among the unwelcome surprises awaiting Brits returning from holiday, according to a new survey.
One family came back to find a can of unopened Coke had exploded in the freezer, causing the door to burst open with such force that it knocked over a nearby Christmas tree, smashing all the ornaments.
Another home-owner returned to discover a mischievous key-holding neighbour had sneaked in and set up a garden gnome at the head of the dining room table.
And another not so helpful friend accidentally left the holidaymakers' back door open, allowing an errant goat to barge in and run amok in the lounge.
The home-coming mishaps emerged from a survey of 2,000 Brits by home security specialist Yale.
The poll revealed that the average homeowner experiences 24 panics a year while leaving their property unoccupied.
Leaving a window open was the most common fear, followed by leaving the heating on, the back or front door unlocked and a tap running.
Nigel Fisher, spokesperson for Yale, said: "Whenever we leave our homes empty it's inevitable that we'll worry about whether we've done all we can to ensure things are safe and secure.
"The list of worries will make familiar reading to many and the hope that everything will be ok on your return. Unfortunately, whether it's a break in, a home hazard or even a wandering goat, sometimes things don't go to plan.
"Ensuring enough time to pack and go through your home admin to ensure all is in order will greatly add to peace of mind, while having the right security measures in place will allow you to rest easy on that sun lounger, rather than fretting about your property."
As well as the fear of potentially damaging hazards or forgetting key items, over half (56 per cent) of holidaymakers worry about the security of their home while away.
One in seven has actually set off but then turned the car around because the worry was too much.
If away for a fortnight, the average person puts in four calls to neighbours or key-holders to check things are OK.
Alarmingly, nearly one in ten feels they live in an unsafe area and confessed they do anything possible to put off potential break-ins.
But that still doesn't stop a third of people posting their travel and holiday plans on Facebook or tagging themselves at the airport.
The spokesman for Yale added: "It's easy to worry and let those thoughts of 'did I lock the door?' prey on our minds.
"As the results show, some people have returned from a holiday to find they've been broken into, had home damage or some random events that they couldn't have foreseen.
"Make a checklist in order to feel confident your home will be ok, ask a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your home and be mindful of Facebook status updates and advertising your itinerary."
MOST COMMON PANICS LEAVING THE HOUSE
1. I left a window open
2. I've left the heating on
3. I left the back door unlocked
4. I left the front door unlocked
5. I've left a tap running
6. I left the lights on
7. I left all the curtains open
8. I left my laptop/valuables in view of the window
9. I haven't sorted anyone to water the plants
10. I left the oven on
11. I left the shed unlocked
12. I left the TV on
13. I left the back gate open
14. I forgot to lock the car
15. I didn't set the burglar alarm
16. I left a spare key outside
17. I haven't sorted anyone to feed the pets
18. I left the radio on
19. I haven't left the cat/dog door open
20. I left the iron on
HOMEOWNER'S RITUAL WHEN GOING AWAY
1. Check every window is shut and locked
2. Make sure the heating is turned off
3. Make sure there's no food that will go off
4. Check every plug socket
5. Scan every room in the house
6. Generally tidy the house
7. Set a burglar alarm
8. Hide valuables in secret places
9. Check all the light switches
10. Open or close all the curtains
11. Take out the bins
12. Check the back gate is locked
13. Move all valuables away from view of the windows
14. Check the garage door is locked
15. Make sure the shed is locked
16. Make sure the plants are watered
17. Set the alarm
18. Empty the washing machine, dish washer and tumble dryer
19. Check there are no spare keys outside in hiding places
20. Call out 'Goodbye' as I leave the house, even if no one is in
ENDS
Press Release: Holiday Panic
