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AIBU?

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Original poster

WWYD - on hol - left oven on?!

290 replies

Ovenon1 · 20/05/2023 22:14

We've just gone on holiday and DH is having a -shit I can't remember turning the oven off moment....

No one has a spare key to the house and we don't live near family.

I'm pretty sure it was off but I was getting kids dressed and ready when he was making lunch.

Not sure what to do now and obviously it's worrying!

It's an old hotpoint oven.

Could we get someone to go and turn the gas off? The gas box is outside. Arghhhh.

Any one been in this situation? What do we do?!

OP posts:
Teddypops · 20/05/2023 22:39

You can turn the gas off at the meter. There is a lever beside the meter. It will be indicated as to which way up is on/off.

Could someone see from a window?

Toddlerteaplease · 20/05/2023 22:40

Could you courier a spare key to someone, and they go and check for you?

Londonlady1423 · 20/05/2023 22:40

You need to contact a family member or close friend and explain the situation, ask them to go to your house and turn the gas off from the outside, of this is not possible you need to call an emergency locksmith and get your family/friend to access the house and check the oven.

RiverRock22 · 20/05/2023 22:40

Bit late but for future ref I always take photos of appliances turned off before I go on holiday for peace of mind.

Toddlerteaplease · 20/05/2023 22:42

If you have emergency cover with your house insurance, you may me able to call a locksmith out with no charge. (Done it twice)

marshmallowmatcha · 20/05/2023 22:42

Gas is so dangerous you're going to have to sort it incase the house blows up. Phone the gas board like you would if you suspected a leak.

SophiaElizabethGrace · 20/05/2023 22:42

There must be a sensible way to resolve this which doesn't involve you having to leave France. How far away from your house are your parents/close friends?

17Degrees · 20/05/2023 22:43

Not an oven but once left a bedroom light on for 2 weeks solid (thanks teenage child) luckily not the energy costs we have now, but had no one to go and switch off!

Threeboysadogandacat · 20/05/2023 22:48

We have keys for my sister's and three neighbours houses for moments like this.

SpringNotSprung · 20/05/2023 22:48

Locksmith. Change the locks, go in and check oven, leave new keys with neighbours.

WomanAtTheBack · 20/05/2023 22:49

TeeBee · 20/05/2023 22:30

Can you see the oven from a window? Pay someone from a cab company to drive to your house and look through the window to check.

Dies your DH remember what temp the oven would have been on OP. High or low? If it was high, it’s pretty urgent and I’d be begging someone to go tonight.

Do you have a community Facebook page where you could put a shout out to a local handyman/builder (not including details but just saying urgent help needed) so they could also patch up any entry point if necessary and replace any glass tomorrow. You’d have to pay good rates though!

whomoon · 20/05/2023 22:50

As PP has said, can you see the oven from the kitchen window? Can you ask a neighbour or friend to pop round and see what they can see through the window?

LumpyandBumps · 20/05/2023 22:50

If the meter is outside the supply can be turned off very easily and doesn’t need a gas engineer.
Your main problem seems to be finding someone you can trust to do it. Clearly you can’t post anywhere like a local Facebook group as you don’t want everyone to know that you are away and your home is empty.
Where I live we do have a Facebook group where people can ask for recommendations, and are allowed to do so anonymously. If you have anything like that you could ask for someone in your local area to help, and if anyone offers contact them via Facebook Messenger.
Or you could share your area here and see if anyone reading is local.

IHateLegDay · 20/05/2023 22:56

Find your local police department on Facebook and message them asking for advice

HeddaGarbled · 20/05/2023 22:57

He’ll have turned it off. You just do it automatically, don’t you? He’s just being a worry wart. Selfish and thoughtless of him to stress you out like this on your holiday.

Notquitethere60 · 20/05/2023 22:57

Can’t believe leaving an oven on would be a fire risk. How do people who have range cookers like Rayburn or Aga cope? They’re on all the time.
if you are worried ring the gas distribution people for your area and say you’re worried about a gas leak. They
will turn off the supply at your meter.

Simonjt · 20/05/2023 23:00

As the useful friend in similar situations, you must know someone who could potentially break in without causing damage to windows/doors?

musixa · 20/05/2023 23:01

You said they're not near, but how far away from your house are your family?

Timesawastin · 20/05/2023 23:01

HeddaGarbled · 20/05/2023 22:57

He’ll have turned it off. You just do it automatically, don’t you? He’s just being a worry wart. Selfish and thoughtless of him to stress you out like this on your holiday.

Do you, now. Tell that to my DH who keeps leaving the hob on.

musixa · 20/05/2023 23:01

Can’t believe leaving an oven on would be a fire risk.

No, but the gas bill won't be pretty.

Reigateforever · 20/05/2023 23:02

Definitely the fire brigade, hopefully they won’t charge you as it is a fire risk. Tell them they can switch it off from outside as you don’t want to come home to a broken front door.

HeddaGarbled · 20/05/2023 23:04

@Timesawastin

Your stupid husband is not the OP’s problem.

Thatladdo · 20/05/2023 23:07

If your meter is outside its just turning a handle 90 degrees, maybe say ROUGHLY where abouts in the country it is and some kind soul will go and spend 2 mins knocking it off.
Fire risk is pretty low tbh but the gas bill youll return to wont be! no need for anyone to be going into your house

Chaircushion · 20/05/2023 23:07

Can you see the oven through the window?

Thatladdo · 20/05/2023 23:09

Thatladdo · 20/05/2023 23:07

If your meter is outside its just turning a handle 90 degrees, maybe say ROUGHLY where abouts in the country it is and some kind soul will go and spend 2 mins knocking it off.
Fire risk is pretty low tbh but the gas bill youll return to wont be! no need for anyone to be going into your house

Or to be ratching all around your house peering into your windows

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