To send DP back home in the snow to turn off the Christmas tree lights

[HugePotatoes]

I get very nervous about things being left on at home, always have to check the iron/oven/tumble dryer etc.

This morning I got up and realised DP had left the xmas tree lights on all night. This pisses me off because who doesn't check lights etc if they are the last one to bed? I told him this and he apologised.

Fast forward to this evening, I meet him in a pub for food a 5 min walk from home. Really snowy and icy here.

I nip to the loo, then when I return he announces he's remembered he left the tree lights on again! I think he was hoping I'd tell him not to worry and relieve his guilt.

AIBU to have sent him home to switch them off, instead of trying to ignore the nagging thought of a tree induced house fire through my meal out?

He didn't complain, but thinks IABU to worry about these things. Am I?

[SandSnakeofDorne]

Yes. I think it’s pretty normal to leave Christmas tree lights on.

[Chuffingchuff]

I lived next door to a house that caught fire because of fairy lights so no YANBU

[QueenNovo]

Have you got a real tree? I saw a scary video on facebook showing how they can catch really quickly and be burning all over in about 30 seconds from faulty lights so YANBU.

[AlexaAmbidextra]

YANBU. A house near me was completely gutted the week before Christmas several years ago. The family went out to deliver Christmas presents leaving the tree lights on and lost everything including their dog and cat.

[Fluffyears]

Yanbu, havebyou seen the video of a tree going on fire? Within 30 seconds the whole room is ablaze...takes less time to turn them off.

[sonjadog]

It´s 5 minutes walk? That's really no big deal. If it were 30 minutes drive it would be different.

[BeALert]

I'm not a big worrier but I do prefer the Christmas tree lights to be switched off at night and when we're out.

[MimsyFluff]

I'm the same we've always had real trees and would burn them after Christmas and it's forever going to stay in my mind how easy and quickly they burn

[Aeroflotgirl]

Why did you not go and switch them off!

[stickytoffeevodka]

YANBU especially if you have a real tree. They go up in seconds - it's really scary!

[Julie8008]

If your that paranoid about lights you really shouldn't have them in your house. Or get a timer that switches them off automatically after 30 minutes. Most people know turn their lights on and leave them on, even if they are not in the house, so they can be seen by people passing by outside.

[strawberrypenguin]

They really should be turned off. Although the newer LED lights are a lot safer so if you have those I wouldn’t worry as much

[CurlsLDN]

YOu did the right thing. I know two people who had serious house fires due to unattended fairy lights

[HugePotatoes]

Thanks all, at least I know I'm not completely nuts!
It's a fake tree - timer not a bad idea.

[halcyondays]

yanbu

[WasDoingFine]

Aeroflotgirl - why should OP walk and turn them off! She didn't leave them on.

[Imstickingwiththisone]

I'm with you OP. It's the only thing I'm cautious about tbh! Assumed everyone was the same, there has been so many reports over the years.

If I saw lights on a tree I would assume someone was home.

[Imstickingwiththisone]

Timers a bad idea unless you want to switch them back on every 30 minutes when you're home

[Brokenbiscuit]

I'm amazed that anyone is saying it's ok to leave them on. Are people unaware that it's a fire risk?

[EB123]

YANBU I am the same with Christmas tree lights

[LazyDailyMailJournos]

YANBU. I am exactly the same. I always check my tree lights are off before going to bed or going out. A close family member is a fire fighter and put the fear of God into me about the number of house fires which are caused by lights overheating and catching fire. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to my dogs for the sake of pulling the plug out of the wall.

[greendale17]

Yes. I think it’s pretty normal to leave Christmas tree lights on.

No it is not. Fire service don’t recommend it either. No way would I ever leave the tree lights on in an unoccupied house

[TattyCat]

Good grief I wouldn't leave fairy lights on, whether I'm in bed or out. Unbelievably dangerous and if you don't believe me, go and speak to your friendly firefighters....

[RestingBitchFaced]

YANBU I always turn mine off even if I'm going out for 10mins

[wanderings]

Yes, Christmas lights are terribly dangerous, perhaps we should go back to candles on trees. If the OP's husband had to drive back in the snow to switch off the lights, it would be a really tough decision, safetywise!

Unhelpful reply, I know. But remember that life is full of risk that we don't think about; crossing the road, driving a car, eating off our less than sterile work surfaces (more germs on office teabags than on your toilet seat, etc.)