What kind of holidaymaker are you - a Stressed-out Sally or a Nonchalant Nigel? This fun quiz reveals all.
It comes as research of 2,000 adults reveals the top things they do to prepare for a trip away, including making sure the windows are closed, doing the washing up and emptying the bins.
And 67 per cent have a regimented routine around the house before they go away, to make sure everything is in check when they return.
Switching off the lights, turning down the heating and making sure all appliances are off at the wall appear on the check list of things to complete, as well as clearing out the fridge and watering the plants.
And for those who have a prepay energy meter, a priority for three in 10 (33 per cent) is topping it up so they don’t run out of credit while they are away.
Unfortunately, one in five (19 per cent) Brits have come home to find something has gone wrong while they were away.
With a burst pipe (54 per cent), a defrosted freezer (41 per cent) and mouldy food in the fridge (27 per cent) voted the worst annoyances to return to.
Despite this, emptying the fridge, taking out the bins and topping up the prepay energy meter are among things people are most likely to forget about before going away.
And six in 10 would be likely to adopt technology to relieve the stress of preparing their home before a holiday if it existed.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “After a period away, the last thing you want to come home to is a disaster like a defrosted freezer.
“Fortunately for those who can’t relax while away, some technology already exists that can let you check in on your home wherever you happen to be.
“For example, if you have a smart prepay meter, you can check your balance and top up your credit online, meaning you no longer have to run the risk of coming home to no energy and a load of defrosted food.
“In a separate poll of 2,021 adults with a smart prepay meter, we found 43 per cent are making the most of their ability to check their balance and top up while away, meaning they can cross that chore off their to-do list for good.
As many as 60 per cent feel stressed before a holiday, as there is so much to think about before they leave (53 per cent) .
Others want to prepare as much as possible so they don’t have to worry while they are away (56 per cent).
As a result, people on average spend up to three hours prepping their home for their departure, and begin preparing four days before they leave.
The survey, via OnePoll, went on to find as many as 97 per cent like to prep their home before a holiday.
More than half (59 per cent) do this so they don’t have to worry about getting organised on their return and 32 per cent just want to get straight back into work without having to do any chores .
Furthermore, 82 per cent consider it important to have a tidy home to return to.
TOP 10 THINGS TRAVELLERS DO TO PREP BEFORE GOING AWAY:
- Make sure all windows are closed
- Empty the household bins
- Do any washing up
- Make sure all lights are turned off
- Turn down/off the heating
- Gather important documents like passports in one place
- Switch off appliances at the wall
- Water the plants
- Clear the fridge out
- Do the laundry
