Tag: households

New survey reveals misuse of modern fridges in Irish homes

New research has revealed some chilling truths about how Irish households are misusing their fridge. A nationwide survey of 1,000 Irish adults, commissioned by the Home of Innovation, shows it’s time to rethink our fridge habits.

Findings reveal that a staggering 71% of respondents admit to wasting food every week, with the annual cost of this waste reaching an eye-watering €696 per household. 51% of respondents store dairy products on the bottom shelf, an area intended for raw meat because of its colder temperature.

Worse still, 28% keep dairy products in the fridge door, the most temperature-unstable zone, where frequent openings can quickly cause products to go off.

The problems extend beyond the fridge. Nearly half (45%) of those surveyed have discarded spoiled food due to confusion or misuse of their freezers. Air exposure is a major culprit—if food isn’t properly packaged, air can seep in and cause dehydration. Opting for airtight containers and freezer-safe wrapping is essential.

Furthermore, nearly three in four (70%) Irish households are unaware that their fridge and freezer could be responsible for up to a fifth of their total energy costs highlighting the need for both appliance maintenance and timely upgrading to more energy-efficient models for long-term savings.

Finally, while fridges are designed to keep food fresh, many are now doubling as beauty cabinets. An eye-opening 39% of Irish adults admit to storing non-food items such as eye masks, face cream, nail polish, and even toothpaste in their fridges.

Commenting on the findings, Brian McMenamin, Director, BSH Ireland, Home of Innovation, said: “We are passionate about showcasing the latest product innovations because it’s vital that customers feel empowered to get the best out of their appliances. Our research uncovered many common trends are costing Irish households, but with the right appliances and a few small tweaks, lower energy bills and less food waste could be at your fingertips!”

Home of Innovation’s Top Fridge Organisation Tips:

 

  1. The top shelf tends to have the most consistent temperature, but it’s not the coldest part of the fridge so it’s ideal for leftovers, dairy products like milk yogurt and cheese.
  2. Keep your cooked meats, deli items and hummus on the middle shelf.
  3. Raw meat, fish, or poultry should always go on the bottom shelf to prevent drips and contamination.
  4. Fridge Door is the warmest part of the fridge, so best for storing condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayo, jams, hot sauces.
  5. Most modern fridges have crisper drawers designed to control humidity and airflow so put them to use and maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
  6. First in, first out – try to rotate older items to the front as a reminder to use them.
  7. Don’t overfill – air needs to circulate for proper cooling.
  8. Keep fridge at 4°C – that’s the ideal chilling temperature.

Home of Innovation showcases leading appliances from Bosch, Siemens, and NEFF designed with both energy efficiency and real-life kitchen habits in mind. These appliances tackle the common storage challenges effortlessly by maximising every cooling opportunity. Features like multi-airflow systems ensure consistent temperature control, while clearly labelled zones help organise contents with ease. Fish and meat receive special treatment in dedicated compartments chilled to as low as 0°C for optimal freshness.

Models such as the Bosch French Door Bottom Freezer offer XXL storage and clever compartments such as VitaFresh drawers to keep food fresher for longer – ideal for large households.

For a built-in option with extra room to spare, the NEFF N70 Fridge Freezer (381-litre XXL size) offers significantly more space than a standard larder. With adjustable shelving and dedicated zones for fresh produce, meat, and fish, it ensures everything stays organised and fresh – no more dairy disasters

The Siemens iQ300 Free-standing Fridge Freezer combines intelligent SuperCooling with an inverter compressor that adapts to both internal and external temperatures, keeping groceries at their best.

To discover more cooling products from leading kitchen brands visit the Home of Innovation website to schedule your free expert guided consultation.

One in Three Irish Households Experience Cybercrime

Kyndryl the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, today published new research highlighting escalating threats from cyberattacks and scams to Irish households. The findings offer an in-depth perspective on cybersecurity readiness, habits and vulnerabilities among individuals in Ireland, highlighting a lack of basic cybersecurity precautions and awareness, which include:

  • One in five (20%) respondents reported directly experiencing a cyberattack or online fraud in the past year.
  • An additional 15% reported attacks within their household. In total, more than one in three (36%) Irish households have experienced cybercrime over the last 12 months.
  • Almost half (48%) of respondents reuse the same password across multiple sites.
  • More than a quarter (26%) acknowledge using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking and online shopping, exposing themselves to attacks.

“While businesses are grappling with the complexities of maintaining future-ready IT infrastructure, as highlighted in our recent Kyndryl Readiness Report, the same principles apply to consumers: effective cybersecurity starts with people,” said Chris Davis, Managing Director, Kyndryl Ireland. “Cybersecurity readiness isn’t just about having the latest tools – it’s about fostering awareness and proactive behaviours among individuals. Increasing public awareness and education is crucial to help individuals protect themselves in an ever-evolving digital environment. At Kyndryl, we believe that a collaborative effort involving government, businesses, and educational institutions is essential to fostering a more secure digital society, and we’re committed to supporting that mission.”

The new research was conducted by 3Gem Research and Insights and builds on findings of organizational readiness that Kyndryl recently published in its inaugural Readiness Report.

Cyber threat concerns are pervasive

Cybersecurity worries are widespread, with 73% of respondents most concerned about personal devices being hacked, such as smartphones and laptops. The second biggest concern is online scams (68%), followed by identity theft (58%). Nearly half (48%) fear sensitive information being leaked through data breaches, while 28% express anxiety over ransomware attacks.

Young adults most at risk of cyber fraud

Almost one in five (21%) individuals experienced a cyberattack or online fraud attempt in the last year, with an additional 15% reporting that a household member had been targeted.

Young adults, particularly those aged 25-34, appear to be the most vulnerable, with 29% having been directly targeted by cybercriminals. This figure drops to 19% for those aged 45-54, and just 11% for individuals aged 65 and above.

Poor password practices still prevalent
Password reuse remains a major security risk, with 48% of respondents stating they use the same password across multiple accounts – a habit that significantly increases vulnerability to cyberattacks. This risky behaviour is most prevalent among 18-24 year-olds (57%), compared to 36% of those aged 65+.

Alarmingly, 41% of respondents say they rely on memory to store their passwords, making it less likely they use strong, complex alphanumeric combinations. Reliance on memory increases with age, from 37% of 18-24 year-olds to 50% of 55-64 year-olds.

Only 24% of respondents use a password manager, considered one of the safest ways to store and generate strong passwords. Meanwhile, 17% write their passwords on paper, 12% rely on browser auto-fill, and 4% admit to using the same password for all accounts.

Risky online behaviour still common
Risky online practices remain widespread, with 26% of respondents admitting to using public Wi-Fi for online banking or shopping – leaving them exposed to potential attacks. This behaviour is particularly prevalent among younger age groups, with 41% of 18-24 year olds and 35% of 25-34 year olds engaging in this high-risk activity.

Additionally, 18% of respondents opt out of using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), a highly effective method for securing online accounts. Among younger respondents, the figure rises to 23% of 18-24 year olds and 24% of 35-44 year olds.

Consumers have little tolerance for data breaches

Consumers expect high standards of data protection from service providers. If a breach occurred, 74% of respondents said they would be likely to stop using a financial service, such as a bank or insurance provider, while 75% would do the same for social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

Slightly more lenient attitudes were noted for other services: 70% would be likely to stop using a retailer, 69% an email provider, and 64% a gaming service following a breach.

Public is divided on responsibility for cybersecurity education

When asked who should take the lead in educating the public about cybersecurity, 35% of respondents believed that this was the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the body formally responsible for Ireland’s cybersecurity. Schools were the second-most popular choice, with 19% believing they should bear primary responsibility.

Meanwhile, only 12% of respondents feel employers should play a leading role, and just 7% believe universities should be primarily responsible for cybersecurity education.