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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be scared to sleep in house with window that won't close?

34 replies

Etainagain · 13/10/2015 22:06

One of the hinges on a double glazed window in the upstairs landing broke yesterday & the window won't close. Called someone out to look at it today, but only Dh was at home when he came. The guy told him he'll send a quote tomorrow and then fix it sometime after that. Dh doesn't see any problem with this, but the window is easily accessed from a flat roof. Dh works night shifts, and when he's back on shift, I'll be alone in here with Dcs. I'm imagining all sorts of terrible things happening to us and I'm really frightened about the prospect of sleeping here alone. Dh thinks I'm being totally ridiculous and the repair guy doesn't seem to think there is much of a problem either, other than if it rains. I'm tempted to book into a cheap hotel! So, AIBU and completely ridiculous to be so worried about this? Window isn't easily visible from the street, but if someone walked up driveway, it could be seen.

OP posts:
AliceInUnderpants · 13/10/2015 22:08

If you are uncomfortable then no, it's not unreasonable.

Do you never sleep with windows open though?

Seeyounearertime · 13/10/2015 22:10

It's not the seeing, its the access. If noone can get to it then don't worry. If they need a ladder to get to it, chances are no burglar will bother.

But yeah, what about summer? Do you not open windows?

Yarboosucks · 13/10/2015 22:12

Yep! YABU! You are worrying that a burglar, with a ladder, might wonder up your drive to see if there is a window open? Not very likely. If you are really concerned, then leave a light on downstairs and a radio or TV so that it appears that someone is up and about.

DoreenLethal · 13/10/2015 22:12

We had to sleep with the windows fully open last winter, on the ground floor, as our sash windows were revamped. I couldnt sleep all night, for all three nights that we had to do it. But upstairs, i wouldnt worry to be honest. Is there something you can wedge in front to stop it opening?

Junosmum · 13/10/2015 22:13

I'd be worried about leaving the house unoccupied as well! It's not a great situation. Is it an obvious window?

Oysterbabe · 13/10/2015 22:27

Yabu and worrying about something with a teeny tiny risk.

Original poster
Etainagain · 13/10/2015 22:28

It's not an obvious window from the street as it is at the side of the house, although it can just about be seen. But it is obvious from the driveway. The problem is that a burglar wouldn't need a ladder to access it, just a wheelie bin to jump up onto the flat roof next to where the window is situated(neighbours both sides leave their bins out). Sleeping with my bedroom window open wouldn't bother me because I'm in here and would hear if someone tried to come in the window (plus they'd need a ladder), but the hallway is quite long and Dcs bedrooms are closer to the window.

OP posts:
Original poster
Etainagain · 13/10/2015 22:29

And what about insurance? If we're burgled, would we be insured?

OP posts:
ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 13/10/2015 22:30

Because all the many burglars and worse can tell that your window, which isn't even visible is open, they'll...what? Ignore all the other open windows in town and head straight for yours? Yes, you are being ridiculous, nobody is going to climb in your window.

Original poster
Etainagain · 13/10/2015 22:32

The window is obviously open. It's quite a large gap and there is no way to make it any smaller!

OP posts:
BastardGoDarkly · 13/10/2015 22:36

Can you board it up temporarily?

Original poster
Etainagain · 13/10/2015 22:37

Unfortunately, I can't board it up. I have stuck a big piece of plastic on the inside to keep any rain out.

OP posts:
Seeyounearertime · 13/10/2015 22:42

Rest a saucan in the open gap or under the window inside house, if anyone tries to get through they'll knock it over and wake you up.

whitelisbon · 13/10/2015 22:44

Channel your inner macauley culkin, and booby trap the window with something noisy - a saucepan or something like that. If anyone tries to get in you'll hear them. I really wouldn't worry about it though.

Lurkedforever1 · 13/10/2015 22:44

Firstly most burglars don't want to get caught, so they mostly avoid when people are in. Especially the risk of climbing through an open upstairs window when for all they know you could be asleep a few feet from it.
Secondly while you get opportunist burglaries, if someone decided they wanted to break into your house they'd find a way regardless of your window.

Not getting why a broken hinge means you have to keep it open. Can't you just take the broken hinge off for now and fasten it closed?

Littledafty · 13/10/2015 22:48

When we were getting an extension done we had over a week of a massive downstairs window in the new part just covered up at night with plastic. The builders had already knocked through the walls so I had all sorts of visions of someone coming and easily slicing through the plastic to get into our house.
Nobody ever did!
I know how freaky it is but it would be pretty unlikely someone is going to spot the window and decide to clamber in.

Seeyounearertime · 13/10/2015 22:52

I never worry about burglars, I'd feel sorry for them if they broke in my house, fuck all to take. Grin

EmmaWoodlouse · 14/10/2015 10:33

I think YAB a bit U. Have you ever been burgled before? If not, it's unlikely that burglars will somehow sense that your window won't shut and suddenly decide to see what's inside.

Lots of people (including me when I'm on my own - DH claims to be unable to sleep if there's any background noise) like to sleep with a window open all the time. I don't think they all get burgled - I certainly haven't been when I've done it. I'd file this under "something that could happen, but is so vanishingly unlikely that it's not worth wasting energy worrying about it."

specialsubject · 14/10/2015 10:45

you are much less likely to be burgled when you are at home. And most burglars are just that, not axe-murderers, because the penalties for that are much more severe. Also most people do see GBH or worse as a bad thing, whereas many don't see theft as bad - just read a few threads on here...

sensible not to leave valuables in the property when it is unoccupied, though, until the window is fixed.

Lonecatwithkitten · 14/10/2015 11:01

It is incredibly rare for burglars to attempt to enter a house when the residents are present.
It did happen to me, with in 5 minutes of my call I had 7 police officers and a police dog in my house. After they had arrested the guy and removed him the officers left behind explained just how rare this - we were the only people for this to happen to in our police authority for an entire year.
In my case it was because ExH had left the back door wide open all night.

BinToHellAndBack · 14/10/2015 12:46

You're unlikely to be burgled, but the anxiety about it is the problem here, not the actual level of risk. I felt really anxious myself about being home alone with the dc's after being burgled at night once, but it never happened again.

Finding something that adds a perceived (to you) extra level of security might help you relax and sleep through it. Do you have any of those timer switches that you could plug some lamps into and put in different rooms? They could go on and off at different times in the night and make it look like you are up, just until the window gets fixed.

Mermaidhair · 14/10/2015 13:02

Yanbu, I would not be able to sleep with it like that. Can you put a large piece of furniture in front of it? Otherwise I would be leaving booby traps incase someone came in.

Happfeet2911 · 14/10/2015 13:16

I sleep with a window wide open all summer and at least a couple of inches in the winter, can't stand stuffy bedrooms. YABU and a tiny bit paranoid.

Poopy22 · 14/10/2015 13:18

What do you do in summer?

WelliesAndPyjamas · 14/10/2015 13:23

Yes, I'd be scared...but of the insurance company! An open window will very likely invalidate a claim in the case of being burgled sorry, too sensible, but it's true

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