Brits consider themselves risk takers but only take tiny chances

Two thirds of us consider ourselves a risk taker, for taking chances on the tiniest things.

According to a new survey, life's top little risks include eating something past its sell-by date, leaving the house with low phone battery, and not taking an umbrella out on a grey day.

The study, of 2,000 adults, also saw turning up at a restaurant without booking first, crossing the road on a red man and driving through an amber light appear in the top 30 list of risks taken every day.

Running from the shower to another room to grab a towel, having a cup of coffee before bed and putting the washing out on the line without checking the weather also featured.

A spokesperson for the Lottoland.co.uk casino, which commissioned the research via OnePoll, said: 'We're a nation of tiny risk-takers.

'Sometimes the chances we take can pay off - like turning up at a fancy restaurant with no booking, or trying your luck at a card game.

'But others, like going out without your bank cards or driving without petrol in the tank, are probably best avoided.

'We like to say what's life without taking a chance every now and again? As long as you're safe and savvy, adding a dash of harmless risk to your day can make the little wins feel like big ones.'

The research found 65 per cent consider themselves to be a risk-taker in their daily life.

It also emerged Saturday is the most common day to take a chance.

And 20 per cent are most likely to take risks regarding their social life - while only six per cent would take a chance when it comes to their job.

Brits' most common 'tiny risks' 

1. Eating something past its sell-by date - 55 per cent
2. Leaving the house with your phone on less than 50 per cent battery - 50 per cent
3. Leaving the house without an umbrella/coat on a changeable day - 50 per cent
4. Turning up at a restaurant without booking first - 49 per cent
5. Crossing the road when the red man was showing - 45 per cent
6. Not bothering to use suntan lotion - 42 per cent
7. Not picking up a basket when you go to the supermarket - 43 per cent
8. Going through an amber traffic light - 42 per cent
9. Laughing along when you couldn't quite hear what someone has said - 42 per cent
10. Leaving the house without your phone - 42 per cent
11. Ordering something other than 'your usual' when eating in a restaurant - 41 per cent
12. Running from the shower to another room to get your towel - 38 per cent
13. Leaving windows open in your house when not there - 38 per cent
14. Not closing the curtains or blinds while getting changed - 35 per cent
15. Drinking coffee or tea last thing before going to bed - 35 per cent
16. Turning off your alarm and shut your eyes for 'one minute' - 34 per cent
17. Driving with the petrol warning light on - 33 per cent
18. Putting the washing out without having checked the weather forecast beforehand - 33 per cent
19. Trusting the travel time given on Google/Apple maps - 27 per cent
20. Not running from a hovering wasp - 27 per cent
21. Spending and not checking your bank balance - 27 per cent
22. Driving against the direction arrows around a car park - 24 per cent
23. Just taking your phone out rather than your cards/wallet to pay for things - 20 per cent
24. Guessing someone's name when you aren't quite sure of it - 18 per cent
25. Sitting in a reserved seat on the train - 17 per cent
26. Going out during your parcel/food delivery timeslot - 16 per cent
27. Going on social media or news sites before you've seen a massively hyped TV show - 15 per cent
28. Not turning on your house alarm before leaving - 13 per cent
29. Overfilling your hand luggage or using a bag that was too big and hoping it wouldn't get spotted - 12 per cent
30. Sitting in the first-class section of the train when you only had a normal ticket - 10 per cent