Accidental kicks to the crotch, the face and bad backs caused from being a human climbing frame are just some of the injuries long-suffering London dads face each year.
The insurance company survey revealed that the average dad suffers a whopping 22 injuries a year – all of them inflicted on them by their children.
As well as battling bad backs dads also hurt themselves in their toy-strewn houses stepping on a toy or plug on average four times a year.
Pity those who also have a cat or dog as they can expect to trip over the family pet a further four times a year.
Head of Member Recruitment and spokesman for family-focused insurance brand There, Clive Allison, said: “Every dad wants to be able to play with their kids and make the most of enjoying those early years before the children quickly grow up.
“Clearly that comes with a few inevitable knocks and injuries when playing around outside or on the sofa or even trying to keep up with them in a football match.
“More often than not a knock or bash to the shin can be shaken off but the results show more serious injuries can happen and have even led to dads taking time off work which can cause families problems financially.”
Such injuries, though painful, can easily be shrugged off however some dads have been seriously injured in the line of duty.
There’s no let-up for dads as just under a third have been head-butted by their young child while a quarter said play-fighting with the kids regularly saw them tweak something.
Other areas of parenting where men have had a brush with injury is during sport either in goal, kicking a ball around with the kids or when climbing trees with them.
Few dads have illness cover in place to protect in case they are too ill to work.
Those surveyed were more likely to have insurance to protect their mobile phones, pets, and holiday bookings than to protect themselves.
Only 17% of London dads polled had any illness cover in place and fewer than half the dads polled had life insurance, with a fifth saying they never had time to arrange it.
When quizzed on how long the family could cope if the breadwinner was no longer able to work, results showed the average family would struggle to pay the rent or mortgage after only three months.
Mr Allison added: “Sometimes it’s best for dads to know your limits when it comes to trying to keep up with the children.
“Inevitably having fun with the kids and that desire to get involved in the games wins out and sometimes the wear and tear take its toll.
“Given the bashing that dads get in their ‘line of duty’, it’s surprising that so few think about how they would manage if a more serious injury were to happen.
“Having the proper protection in place to help ensure that the family won’t be put under financial strain should an illness or injury mean they’re unable to do their job for a number of months, can really help give peace of mind.”
Picture courtesy of alexwendpap, with thanks
