The summer holidays are one of the busiest times of the year - for accidents in the home.
Figures from home insurer Aviva show ‘accidental damage’ home insurance claims leap over the school holidays - with a huge spike happening in August.
Damage reported ranges from drowned phones and cracked baths to cut-up sofas and melted cupboards.
Last year alone dozens of parents made claims for damaged TVs after younger family members threw toys at them, while one mum was forced to claim after her daughter got over-excited seeing her favourite cartoon pig on and knocked the TV over entirely.
Slime damage was another common problem - with several people claiming after children and grandchildren left permanent stains on carpets and sofas as a result of playing with colourful toy.
Then there were the more extreme cases.
"One customer described how her four-year-old granddaughter was jumping up and down on a dining room chair, trying to grab crystals off a chandelier," Aviva said.
"She got hold of the chandelier, pulling it down, causing it to damage the glass dining room table. And to top it all, the little girl then fell off the chair, breaking it too!
"Another customer claimed for a broken tumble drier after his daughter decided that swinging on the door was a good idea – until it broke."
Then there was the melted kitchen.
"A customer’s child accidentally turned on the grill on the cooker. The family then went out for the day and on their return found that the cooker had broken and had melted two drawers and a kitchen cupboard," Aviva revealed.
To try and help reduce your risks, here are Aviva's tips for having fun with the little ones over the school holidays without ending up with an unexpected bill:
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Keep any breakables and valuables out of reach from young children – if possible lock them away from little hands
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Never underestimate children’s ability or determination to get hold of an item. Standing on chairs, tables, or even a friend or sibling, can mean that an ‘out-of-reach’ place often isn’t
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Make sure you have the right level of cover for your needs. Accidental damage is offered as an option on many policies but included as standard on others - check yours to see it it's there now
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If you’re going away, check to see if you have cover for accidents and thefts away from home too
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Understand any exclusions on your home insurance policy. For example, damage caused by pets is usually excluded from home insurance policies, as is general wear and tear, so make sure the kids get the blame they deserve
