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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

not to wake all my children up

16 replies

Sunshine93 · 10/08/2019 21:58

I realised a few minutes ago that I had accidentally left the gas stove on a little not ignited. It would have been on for no more than 40 mins, possibly less. I realised because of the smell coming from the kitchen. The smell is strong in the kitchen and i can still smell it in the hallway and the bottom few stairs but not upstairs or in any of the other rooms. I have three children upstairs asleep and am currently airing the house and breathing in some fresh air myself. We have an up to date working carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen.
My understanding is that the danger is mininmal and mainly caused from inhaling the gas, I have inhaled far more than they could possibly have and feel fine. There is no risk of CO ( I have a detector which is regularly tested and up to date) and modern cookers are extremely safely designed so I am not inclined to disturb them.

AIBU to let them sleep?

OP posts:
fanhair · 10/08/2019 22:04

I can see why you think it would be fine. But just think along the lines of "what if" would you ever forgive yourself? Just for the sake of your children sleeping. The biggest tragedies always start with "I didn't think it would happen"

I would wake the children up and go to your family members, they would completely understand.

Just ring a family member.

Wishing you all the best

MRex · 10/08/2019 22:09

I'd wake them for a hug, then back to sleep if they're fine. Better to just check on them.

Original poster
Sunshine93 · 10/08/2019 22:09

i feel bad now I really did think it would be fine as I cant smell it anywhere else. I thought the only danger was carbon monoxide (assuming gas wasnt ignited or anything)

OP posts:
sanityisamyth · 10/08/2019 22:11

Carbon monoxide comes from incomplete burning of methane. The methane from your job hasn't burnt so CO is not an issue.

If the smell is strong I'd worry about a spark etc ignoring it. Open windows and ventilate as much as you can.

I'd check on children just to make sure they're ok.

CoolWivesClub2019 · 10/08/2019 22:16

I’ve done this...just air it out and check on them.

I wouldn’t even consider waking them or going elsewhere tbh...like a pp said, the risk is from it igniting and airing it out gets rid of that risk.

Spinnaret · 10/08/2019 22:17

Check kids are ok, but keep their doors shut. Open windows and any external doors to ventilate. Leave the windows open overnight. It will be fine.

CoolWivesClub2019 · 10/08/2019 22:18

I can see why you think it would be fine. But just think along the lines of "what if" would you ever forgive yourself?

What if the op took them to a relatives but a bus smashed into her car on the way?

This way of thinking is where madness lies. It would be a ridiculous overreaction to drag them somewhere else! By the time they were all awake the smell will probably be gone.

widget2015 · 10/08/2019 22:19

Inhaling the gas isn't a problem. The risk is from igniting it, so you just need to air out the room.

SexFarmWoman · 10/08/2019 22:19

My understanding is that with a domestic gas leak, the risk is from ignition and explosion rather than inhalation.

Disclaimer- I know nothing.

But maybe don't spark up for a while.

NotYourHolidayDick · 10/08/2019 22:19

Eh? I do this sort of stuff and just open all doors and windows for a couple hours until it's gone.

Do people really pack up and stay with family?! Dear god 😂

Original poster
Sunshine93 · 10/08/2019 22:21

thanks to everyone who has replied- the smell has completely gone now. I have checked them all 3 times and they are fine. There is no smell upstairs but all the windows up there are open anyway. I tend to be overprotective and a worrier and wanted to wake them but i dont really have anywhere to go and my youngest hasnt been well and would be very upset to be woken up and find it tough to go back to sleep.

OP posts:
Lindy2 · 10/08/2019 22:24

I'd do the same as you OP.
The gas is now turned off. The house is being aired. There's no gas smell in the children's rooms.
If you can I'd leave as many windows open as possible overnight just to keep clean air flowing through.

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 10/08/2019 22:24

You don't need to wake them. Leave all the windows open. Can you open bedroom windows for a bit without waking them?

Chouetted · 10/08/2019 22:27

Gas used to be poisonous (hence suicidal people sticking their head in the oven) but is no longer. They do still add an additive so you can smell if you've left it on, but it won't harm you. So once you can't smell it, it's gone.

The right thing to do was ventilate and not use anything that might cause a spark - switches, plugs etc. Safer to have the children asleep as they might not understand why they can't switch the light on/off, or might get scared.

cstaff · 10/08/2019 22:40

You've done the right thing here OP.

I came home to a strong smell of gas in my house one evening. I called the gas emergency line and they were out in 30 minutes. It turned out my neighbour had left her gas cooker on for hours, she has no sense of smell so didn't notice. In that case it was the right thing to do as I didn't know where it was coming from but yours was only on for 40 minutes and should be well aired by now. Your kids will be fine.

Kplpandd · 10/08/2019 22:50

Keep upstairs windows open. Gas is lighter than air so travels upwards

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