The Average Cost of Lost Property is £60.00 per Family Per Year - March 2006

According to a survey commissioned by nameitlabels the average parent spends nearly £60.00 per year replacaing lost property from a child losing something at school or nursery.

Research shows that putting the child's name on an item considerably increases the chances of getting it returned.  Parents can dispense with much of the cost and hassle of replacing lost items by spending just a few pounds on personalised labels. 

The survey found that 92 per cent of parents reported that their children had lost at least one item of property and in nearly half of all cases, none the items were recovered.

The most likely items to be lost are jumpers with one in five of the children having lost a jumper, with the average price of  a jumper being £25.00.

17.5 per cent of parents also reported that their child had lost a coat, and 15 per cent a hats, whilst gloves, socks, lunch boxes and drink bottles were lost throughout the year.  Sports equipment was also very likely to be lost.  Parents reported that between them, their child lost 16 different type of sports or swimming equipment.  These ranged from hair clips through to complete kit bags containing a track suit, rugby top, shorts and trainers which cost in excess of £100.00 to replace.

12.5 per cent of parents reported that children lost one or both trainers and some children even lost hockey sticks.

When it comes to school equipment, pens are most likely  to be lost followed by rulers and books.

The survey found t at 37.5 per cent of paretnts managed to recover lost items and when it was returned to its owner, the reason was in nine out of 10 cases was because it had the child's name on it.

As a general rule if it leaves the house, your child's name should be on it!

nameitlabels was founded in 2002 and provides iron on, sew on and stick on labels for every kind of item that needs naming.

‹ Back to latest news