Despite heightened concerns over identity theft and Government campaigning to reduce burglary rates, 73 per cent of Brits leave their most valuable possessions lying around in their kitchen, with keys, money, valuable documents, mobile phones and even medication all featuring in the top ten list of items left in the kitchen.
The Legal & General Changing Face of British Homes research is based on the views of over 4,000 Britons and aims to establish how the uses of the home, and in particular the kitchen, are changing.
With previous research revealing that the modern kitchen is used for much more than eating, the latest findings reveal how, with people studying, working and socialising in the kitchen, this room is also the place where many leave valuable possessions.
Family kitchen has most valuable items
The family kitchen stands out as having the most valuables, with 82 per cent of young families keeping most of their valuable possessions in the kitchen. With their normally hectic home lives, families with children under 18 are the most likely to leave their keys, 52 per cent, credit cards, 14 per cent, medication, 33 per cent, purses and wallets, 34 per cent, and personal details, 25 per cent, lying around in their kitchen.
As the family kitchen becomes the study and organisation zone of the house, it is also the home of the household diary, 10 per cent, post, 50 per cent, and bank statements, 25 per cent.
Young professionals musical kitchens
Households of young professionals are the most likely to leave their music and iPods on display in the kitchen. Almost one in five, 19 per cent, said their MP3 players are stored in the kitchen and 20 per cent say its where they keep their CDs.
A further 7 per cent of young professionals living with friends leave their laptop in the kitchen.
Regional findings
Welsh kitchens are the most likely to have valuables left in them, 79 per cent. Nearly one in three people in Wales leave their purse or wallet in the kitchen and a further 22 per cent keep their handbag in the kitchen.
People in the Midlands and Lancashire are the most tidy with 71 per cent not leaving any valuables in their kitchen.
Households in Scotland are the most likely to leave their keys and wallets in the kitchen; 44 per cent leave their post in the kitchen and 30 per cent leave medication lying around.
Ruth Wilkins, Head of communications at Legal & Generals general insurance business, said: The look and feel of todays homes is changing to reflect the changing demographics of different households. The items that people leave lying around in their kitchen make an interesting statement about the way people live their lives. It also raises concern about the security of those items in the home. Leaving personal, often valuable, possessions on display could increase the risk of burglary and theft.
“It is so important that people store personal documents and valuables in a safe place, in case of a break in. In addition, homeowners should review their insurance to make sure they are covered, as many of the items left in the kitchen can cost a lot of money to replace.
