Live on my own - someone has switched oven on - all doors locked

[Seeingadistance]

Ok - I never thought I'd be posting one of these threads, but there you go! I also don't know what I'm posting for, tbh.

I live on my own in a large bungalow. I have two cats.

Was out this morning.

Spent afternoon sitting in bed, where it's warm - watching Youtube videos, writing Christmas cards, procrastinating ...

About 20 minutes ago went through to kitchen to feed cats, and immediately noticed light on in oven. No heat, just the light and fan on. Knob was in 7 o'clock position so very definitely turned deliberately - so seems very unlikely that it was caused by cat jumping around, and even when I had cats who could open doors and turn handles - which these ones don't - I've never had a cat turn the oven on. Cats have either been with me or out all afternoon.

Front and back doors both locked and keys in both locks. Both doors are fairly new - I've lost the spare key for back door but it's in the house somewhere. The spare key for front door is in key safe in garage and the number is known only to my son who's not here, and a trusted friend.

The loft hatch is bolted on this side, but there is another loft hatch in an extension I rarely use, and I've never actually looked into that loft or touched that hatch. However, anyone who was in that part of the house would need to come through a door which is closed and makes a noise when opened and closed, then walk past my bedroom to get to the kitchen.

I'm trying not to be freaked out.

The only other strange thing was maybe a couple of weeks ago, late evening. I was in bed, cats were both sitting on bed, and I heard a noise somewhere in the house. Just one noise - like something fairly light had fallen - so not a loud crash or thump. The cats heard it too - they both lifted their heads and looked towards the bedroom door which was ajar. It was the kind of noise which I would have blamed the cats for making, but they were both with me.

Fuck!

Give me reasonable explanations for how my oven could have turned itself on!

And, no I didn't turn it on myself and forget. I hardly ever used my oven before and pretty much never now as I have an air fryer.

Can you turn the oven off at the wall? That way it’s an electrical fault it shouldn’t happen unless you’ve turned the switch back on?

There was a similar thread earlier where the OP was on her own, had a biggish house with a granny flat aka extension except that she had an OP

Did you read that and is it on your mind? If not check your extension is locked, make sure you have all your keys and consider changing your locks.

It's obviously a ghost.

Suggest you get in touch with the spirit world and have a word, only the fan / light isn't even half a job.
Tell them to do it properly next time by switching it to 180 degrees and popping a shepherds pie in 40mins before you're due home. And if they want a quick tutorial on how to stack the dishwasher properly, you're more than happy to find the time.

Pfft, even ghost these days really are a bit crap aren't they. There's no excuse for laziness and lack of effort. Probably due to Brexit, or the Tories or something.

The whole bloody spirit world needs a good shake up at every level. Heads should roll for those that still have their heads.

For those going on about loft hatches I will say just one word.......
LUTHER !!!!!!!

Is it gas or electric? I mean the cat could turn the knob by accident but no cat can turn and hold in a knob while simultaneously pushing the ignition. More likely you've done it in a fit of absentmindedness or by accident.

Buy a cheap cctv system for indoors. (Argos?) Put a camera in every room (but not obviously placed) and review the footage everyday.

Something like this

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8765024?storeID=4248&istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ilpqrtila&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:416-707-6621%7Ccid:20248059078%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:15384890335963028076%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045964&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20248059078&utm_term=8765024&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=416-707-6621&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsvWrBhC0ARIsAO4E6f-3jGtp_OAd6pZM-x23R4km03MmaPm1IFhURb3e1R_t_QVzsgbJzNcaAnQnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I don't know but my only thought is that I kept wondering who was turning my tumble dryer off until I realised that whenever I stood near it and leant over (e.g. to use the coffee machine) it paused the cycle because of the silly touch button. I have to engage the child lock now to stop me turning it on and off with my hip

If it is electric, you probably have one of those big red switches on the wall, can you get into the habit of turning it off when not in use?

And if you have any more strange events that logically you must have done but you can't remember, I would actually make a GP appointment to see what they think about it.

There are weirdos who target and prey on vulnerable people. And if you are being truthful about this (I have no reason to think otherwise), I would recommend being wary. It might seem daft to others but it's always better to err on the side of caution and protect yourself.
This is coming from someone who was targeted over a 5 month period and dismissed by everyone accusing me of being 'mad' when I was actually genuinely in fear. (With very good reason to be)
Stay safe.

You might think that's funny, but if someone lives on their own, it really isn't.

Some doors can still unlock with a key in both sides - only found that out a few months ago - I was suprised

My money’s on this.

Post a pic of your cooker and that will help solve this.

Thank you.

Yep.

I've lived on my own for about 15 years now - I am happy and enjoy living on my own, but there are times, like now, when it can be unnerving.

This kept happening to me. Turned out when I was using the hob I’d mindlessly fiddly with the oven knobs and turn the oven or grill or just the fan on. It kept happening and I had no idea until my teen saw me do it and made the connection.

Could something similar have happened to you?

❤️ ALWAYS trust your instincts.

No. I really don't think so, and in any case, I've not used the cooker for a few days so I'd have noticed it before now.

Only an arsehole would actually say something like this. The OP is obviously worried.

Can the knob turn anti-clockwise?
That would make it easier for a cat to turn to it to 7

That’s a really shitty thing to say to someone who lives alone or infact anyone who’s nervous in their home. Really says a lot about you as a person! Stay safe OP. Maybe one of the cats did do it. Do you have any way of recording your rooms at home? A spare phone?

My sister's dog somehow did this to their cooker and nearly caused a very big accident!
And I've just looked over at my cooker and see that whilst it's turned off at the switch, a knob is still turned to 'grill'. I was hungover this morning :)

Most likely 1 of the cat's. I know someone who's dog used to do this. They had to get a child proof cooker guard. Do you have their food and treats in one of the cupboards near the cooker?