While the majority of us would never drink and drive, new research reveals that thousands of Brits happily operate household appliances under the influence – causing £700m worth of damage in the process.
According to home insurance company, More Than, 83% of Brits enjoy a tipple at home after work, with 61% admitting that they regularly get drunk indoors.
However, although moderate drinking is usually harmless, the home becomes a hive of hazards for drunken dweller behaviour. And according to the study, this has resulted in a rising number of alcohol-related incidents, causing significant damage to 1.5m homes.
A third of homeowners admitted to causing a house fire, flood or smashing valuable items as a result of being drunk in the home. This is mainly due to attempting to cook a pizza, toast or bacon in an oven or grill after a night of drinking.
The worst offenders of dwelling under the influence are middle class people, particularly 35 to 54-year olds, with them causing an average £242, 673 worth of damage alone. In total, Brits cause around £700m of damage to over 1.5m homes.
Matt Pernet, from the study said: "The dangers of drink driving are well documented, but the perils of being drunk in the home are not.
"Yet, as this research shows, the home can be a highly precarious place for somebody with impaired judgment. If you think you are going to be drunk at home then it pays to plan ahead.
"With just a few small acts of mindfulness you can significantly reduce the chances of a costly incident from occurring."
A spokesperson from the London Fire Brigade added: "Too many fires are started when someone has passed out and left a pizza in the oven or some bacon under the grill.
"If people are going to have a few drinks, whether at home or on a night out, then a takeaway is by far the safest option to satisfy any late-night cravings."