Festive fun or fail: Aviva reveals the common festive mishaps

With two thirds of Brits (64%) planning to celebrate Christmas Day at home, insurer, Aviva, is urging households to protect their home as data reveals that more than half (53%) have experienced a mishap over the festive period^[1].

The most common mishaps include:

1. Drink/food spilt on floor (22%)
2. Breaking things at home while putting up Christmas decorations (11%)
3. Personal items thrown away with Christmas wrapping paper (10%)
4. Pets breaking or damaging something (9%)
5. Drink spilt on gadgets (8%)
6. A frozen or burst pipe (6%)
7. Personal item lost or stolen at a Christmas party (5%)
8. Damage from Christmas trees e.g. leaking sap or water damaging carpets (5%)
9. Someone breaking in during the festive period (5%)
10. Fires caused by festive candles (4%)

The research also reveals the items most likely to be damaged while putting up decorations, with ornaments ranking top (33%), followed by vases (23%) and lamps (21%). A further 13% of Brits report knocking over a TV.

Other examples of festive mishaps include putting a foot through the ceiling while retrieving Christmas decorations, water leaks, fires caused by burning Christmas dinner and electrical fires from fairy lights (all 4%).

Analysis of Aviva’s home claims data also showed similar themes. Examples include^[2]:

• A crack/hole appearing on a worktop after a customer was mixing a heavy Christmas cake batter.
• A scorched worktop due to a customer steaming a Christmas pudding and forgetting about it.
• Multiple leaking Christmas tree stands, leaving stains on carpets.
• A falling Christmas tree landing in a fish tank, causing salt water to overflow all over the carpet.
• Several cases of TVs being knocked over by children and adults putting up – as well as taking down - Christmas decorations.

Hannah Davidson, Senior Home Insurance Underwriter at Aviva, said: “Colder temperatures combined with a busy home full of friends and family can create the perfect conditions for a festive mishap. Although most are minor – such as a spilled drink or a broken ornament – oversights, such as a burst pipe can lead to more serious problems, which can be costly to repair.

“If you’re planning to stay at home, consider repairing leaky taps and check that you know where your stopcock is in case you need to turn the water off in an emergency. If you’re planning to be away during the holidays, leave the heating on low for a few hours each day and consider turning off the water at the mains to help prevent burst pipes. Always secure your property and keep valuables out of sight. Taking a few quick and easy steps can help prevent unexpected issues.”

Aviva shares its top tips on how to help protect your home this festive season:

Handle fire responsibly:

Simple precautions can make a big difference when it comes to reducing the risk of fire - from lighting advent candles and flambéing Christmas puddings safely, to keeping real trees well-watered to reduce flammability. If you are planning on using candles, never leave them unattended and always place them on sturdy, non-flammable surfaces.  It’s also a good time to check that smoke alarms are in working order, which can usually be done by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. Fires account for around 2% of all Aviva home claims^[3] and with the average fire claim exceeding £40,000, it’s worth spending the time to prevent a potentially devastating blaze.

Lock up securely:

According to Aviva data, theft accounts for 8% of all claims and is often opportunistic, which is why it’s important to check that all windows, doors and gates are secure – the same goes for any outbuildings too. Thieves are more likely to target homes that look empty, so if you’ll be away from home visiting family elsewhere, leave a light on to give the impression you’re still at home.

Prevent water damage:

Escape of water claims – which is when water damages your house following a leak or burst pipe - account for just under a quarter (24%) of all Aviva home claims, amounting to over £5,700 on average. During low temperatures, there is a risk of frozen water becoming trapped in pipes, causing them to burst as the ice expands. This can quickly cause serious damage to homes and belongings, as well as the inconvenience of repairs over the winter months. These claims are also likely to have a higher excess - the first part of a claim that you’re responsible for - so to prevent an unwelcome expense:

• Insulate exposed pipes with lagging, which you can usually buy from your local DIY store. Don’t forget exposed pipes in the loft and your cold-water tank.
• Repair leaky taps so excess water doesn’t sit in pipes and cause damage if it freezes. Test each of your taps by turning them fully off and check under sinks for any sign of drips from pipes – if they continue to drip, arrange for a quick fix.
• Know where your stopcock is in case you need to turn water off in an emergency.
• Turn off the water when travelling or away for an extended period and consider draining the system to prevent any damage.
  • Schedule your heating to come on while you’re away - scheduling the heating to come on for at least a few hours every day. Heating to 13 degrees Celsius is usually enough to prevent pipes from freezing. 

If you have a frozen pipe:

• Turn off the water supply using your stopcock and open all the cold taps to relieve the pressure.
• Locate the frozen section by checking the obvious places like pipes outside or in unheated areas of your home. If you cannot easily locate it, call a reputable plumber.
• If you do find the frozen pipe, you can try gently thawing it using a hairdryer on the lowest setting, a hot water bottle, or warm towels. Never use a blowtorch or heat gun as this could damage the pipe.

If you have a burst pipe:

• Turn off the water supply. Use the stopcock to reduce the flow of water in your home and consider turning off the supply.
• Drain the system. Turn on all your cold water taps and leave them open to allow the water to completely drain away. Once the water has finished draining, turn them off again. Flushing your toilets will also help drain the water.
• Make sure your electrics are safe. If there is any chance your electrics are wet, turn off the power at the mains and call a qualified electrician to help.
• Soak up any water. Use towels to absorb small leaks or use buckets to catch drips if water is coming through the ceiling. If your ceiling starts to bulge, your home’s structural integrity may be at risk so call a professional to check the damage.
• Call your insurer as soon as possible to get advice on what to do next and review your home insurance documents. Insurers are best placed to help manage your claim from start to finish. Remember to take photos of any damage to your home or belongings.

-ends-

References:

^1. _{Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,002 Nat rep consumers (18+) between 11/11/2025-13/11/2025. 53% found by looking at the inverse of ‘I have not experienced any unfortunate events around Christmas/the festive period’. [↑]}

^2. _{Aviva accidental damage claims from January 2021 to March 2025. [↑]}

^3. _{Aviva home claims data from January 2021 – October 2025. [↑]}

Enquiries: