WWYD - on hol - left oven on?!

[Ovenon1]

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?!

School WhatsApp group?

ive left it on longest was couple of hours not gas though

As always I'm impressed by the MN ideas.

Photos of appliances before you leave is excellent as is checking gas usage.

I am such an oven leaving on kind person this kind of thing is my worst nightmare. When I went for my 20week scan with my firstborn child I had to tell them to do it a quickly as possible because I was sure I’d left a pan on the hob and needed to get home asap… It wasn’t on 🤦‍♀️

For future reference the only thing that works for me now is to pair the hob/oven/hair straightener turning off with pain so I pinch myself really hard while I’m doing it and then when I think back I know I’ve done it. also if I have the cooker on for anything and I know I will be going out I set the oven timer for roughy just before I leave and that will remind me to check it’s turned off.

I say it out loud ‘oven off’ ‘door locked’ Makes me more aware as I have ADHD. Husband also double checks everything before a holiday but if he’s not in and I leave the house I say things out loud as I’ve left the oven on, set fire to a chip pan….

Brilliant tips @Bk1000 I've often left the hob on, front door open (for 2 hrs whilst out 😱) before I started HRT but I still have the odd moment during eating dinner, or later, when I realise things are still on!

I'm sure they can either send someone round to turn off at the meter if it's outside or they can recommend an honest locksmith to go in and check, change the lock and keep the keys safe til they get back.

No need to be rude, @WhatAmIDoingWrong123 Police deal with all sorts of neighbourhood issues, welfare checks etc and would rather not have half a street go up in flames. (Sorry OP)

You used to be able to call the fire brigade many moons ago for exactly this situation. Not sure if it's still the done thing.

Gas meter box keys are all the same in my area so all it would take is someone to open the box and lift the handle that turns the gas off . It takes two minutes. If you have no one who could go for you ring your energy provider who may be able to send someone

This is genius! I struggle with OCD and GAD and am recovering from agoraphobia - the panic that I've left the oven/hob/hair straighteners switched on or the door unlocked, is all-consuming and is guaranteed to ruin pretty much every outing we have as a family. If I take photos then although it won't help with the root cause, at least I can reassure myself while I'm out and relax a little. Thank you x

Where in the UK OP, half my family works for the fire service, I'll go round and knock the gas off for you.

In all seriousness though fingers crossed he's just being paranoid, I always do the same when I go abroad. I really think phoning your local fire service and seeing if they can send someone round to shut the gas off is probably the quickest way to get your minds at ease.

There are thermal cameras (I was watching a YouTube video about home insulation and they showed the thermal image of where heat escapes etc)

So anyway someone ( possibly plumber /heating engineer ?) might have one and might be able to view through your kitchen window if they can acess.

I haven't left things on or unlocked but I did spent a whole day in London thinking "Did I put my carpark ticket facing up otherwise I'm going to get a parking charge" .
I had done but I couldn't remember , it is an automatic thing .

How? Literally can't think of a single way of breaking into a house without doing this

Contact your gas provider and find out if the reading is still going up or not. I would be able to check this info from the app on my phone, but otherwise ring them.

YES!! This

The hysteria and crazy comments over this, locksmith to break in, call the fire brigade / police / emergency gas callout etc. WTF

Simply have someon turn the valve, any potential risks gone. Easy as that, no harm done, no one casing your house, peering into windows or climbing into gardens to try to see an oven through a window - just turn it back on when your home. Sorted.

Just call a local taxi firm and ask if a driver can turn off gas supply at the meter if outside! Pay very well for the job!

RiverRock22 · Yesterday 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.

This is so unbelievably good, it needs to be taught in schools!

As if a taxi firm is going to agree to tamper with some random persons gas supply…

Phone the local (to your home) fire brigade and ask their advice.

Could you do an overnight/24 hour courier to get your house key to a friend or family member who lives nearby?

And what on earth would you expect them to do 🙄

If he thinks he’s left the hob on it might be an issue. Ovens are designed to contain heat and keep heat at whatever temperature you set it at. It won’t get hotter and hotter.
Most kitchen fires are caused by fridges. Heat and dust.

Do you have a smart meter? You should be able to see from your account whether something in the house is using gas, or could contact your supplier to check. Would either put your mind at rest or you’d know what you’re dealing with.

I have to unplug my straighteners and put them in a cupboard after every use because otherwise I am convinced I've left them on. It's the only way.