Yes, you read that headline right;’Appliance Anxiety’is a real thing and four in 10 Aussies going on holidays this weekend will suffer from it.
So what is this dreadful first world problem, we hear you asking?
Well, it refers to those who admit to spending their long weekends worrying they’ve forgotten to switch off appliances.
With the Easter break just around the corner, Telstra has delved into weekenders’ holiday habits and found 18 to 24 year-olds are the most absent-minded, with a huge 67 per cent worrying whether they’ve left the iron or the hair straightener on.
Hands up, who of you will suffer from the same fears?
So what else will Aussies worry about this long weekend?
- Appliance Anxiety: one of the biggest weekend worries is whether the house will still be there when we get home from holidays, with leaving the iron on (22 per cent) topping the list of things we’re most anxious about.
- Security stress: nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents worry they’ve left a window or door unsecured while away on holiday.
- Running late: 86 per cent of Aussies spend more time than usual ensuring their house is secure and appliances are off before going on holiday, with 8 in 10 (78 per cent) people turning appliances off at the wall before going away.
- No smoke without fire: paranoia is based on experience, and youngsters are the worst culprits. Fifty-four per cent of under 24s have accidentally left an appliance on when leaving the house.
- Pet peeves: pets are putting family time last, with 49 per cent of surveyed pet owners saying they’ve put off going away because they can’t bear to leave their animals.
- Friends to the rescue: more than 8 in 10 (82 per cent) would ask a friend or family member to check in on their home while they’re away.
SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING