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Checkatrade reveals most common Christmas Day home emergencies (and how to avoid them)
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Checkatrade had nearly 16,000 searches on 25th December 2023, including consumers searching for emergency repairs
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Tradespeople play a vital role in keeping homes warm, safe and functional year all round - and Christmas Day is no exception with many hardworking trades still taking call outs
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Checkatrade expert shares tips to prevent the most common festive emergencies
Checkatrade has revealed that nearly 16,000 searches were made on Christmas Day last year, highlighting that skilled tradespeople are the nation’s unsung heroes who keep homes warm, safe and joyful even when festive disasters strike.
Searches and call-out requests made from the UK’s leading home improvement platform on 25th December 2023 demonstrate the huge role that hardworking tradespeople play in saving Christmas across the country. Checkatrade’s data reveals:
Adobe
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Electricians were in highest demand with approximately 1,600 Christmas day searches
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Plumbers followed a close second with around 1,500 searches
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473 Brits were left out in the cold and in need of a locksmith on the big day
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While 234 hunted for help with their TV aerials… after all, no one wants to miss the Christmas specials!
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171 unlucky people were left searching for emergency assistance with blocked drains as the nation dealt with the aftermath of the mammoth festive meal
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And finally, searches for emergency central heating rose 9 percent during the Christmas week last year, highlighting the seasonal strain on heating systems as guests arrive
One of Checkatrade’s experts, Frank Fernando of Lion and Leinster, recalls how his team sacrificed their own plans to save Christmas for a family on the brink of disaster, when their home plunged into darkness shortly before 46 guests arrived. With the clock ticking, the electrician came to the rescue and restored power in just 40 minutes to turn a Christmas catastrophe into a festive triumph.
Frank shares his three top tips to help Brits steer clear of avoidable home emergencies this Christmas:
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Be aware of circuit limitations — A house full of guests and multiple appliances running (like ovens, dishwashers, heaters, not to mention Christmas lights) can put a strain on your electrics. To avoid power outages during Christmas dinner, try and minimise the amount of appliances running concurrently, especially if they are on the same circuit. It’s also always worth checking your circuit breakers ahead of time to ensure they can handle the load.
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Book a boiler service ahead of time and add simple maintenance tasks to your Christmas to do list - If you’re worried about your boiler coping with extra heating and hot water needs, then get on Santa’s ‘nice list’ by shorting out a service early. Simple maintenance, like bleeding your radiators, can also help improve efficiency, keep your home toasty and also save money on bills.
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Dispose of grease and food waste from your festive feast properly - Blocked drains are the last thing anyone wants to deal with on Christmas day, so remember never to pour fat or put food scraps down the sink as they can easily cause blockages.
Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade, comments: “Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, but unexpected household emergencies can quickly disrupt the festivities. Checkatrade’s network of trusted tradespeople are the true unsung heroes of the season. Whether it's repairing a burst pipe or restoring heating, our dedicated experts ensure families can return to their celebrations - even when disaster strikes on Christmas day.”
For those unlucky enough to experience an incident on Christmas Day, Checkatrade’s network of experts is on hand to help save the day - whatever the problem.
