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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Redglitter · 21/05/2023 07:59

Exactly! And suggesting getting local police to do a check is ridiculed as if preventing a fire and gas explosion aren't worth bothering them with

The Police will not get involved. They're not going to break a door in to check if a cooker is still on. That's never going to happen Fire Service probably would but at the cost of the front door

speakout · 21/05/2023 08:08

Your OH will have to back and check- how can you enjoy your holiday otherwise?

Dunkling · 21/05/2023 08:10

Can you say on here what town you live in?

Then maybe a close mumsnetter can check for you.

You can pm your address.

MissPoldark · 21/05/2023 08:11

We always go through the multiple repeat checking of things switched off/closed/locked.
I’m making a list for peace of mind this year thanks to this thread.

However, we do tend to leave a key with a neighbour for emergencies anyway, so I’m sure you’ll have some neighbourly friends by next year’s hol OP.

hope you get it sorted out soon.

Original poster
Ovenon1 · 21/05/2023 08:12

It's all sorted. A gas engineer turned the gas off from outside.

I will let you know when we're back whether DH actually did leave the oven on by if the nob is turned.

OP posts:
Redebs · 21/05/2023 08:13

Redglitter · 21/05/2023 07:59

Exactly! And suggesting getting local police to do a check is ridiculed as if preventing a fire and gas explosion aren't worth bothering them with

The Police will not get involved. They're not going to break a door in to check if a cooker is still on. That's never going to happen Fire Service probably would but at the cost of the front door

Police are often involved with helping people get access into their own homes. As well as knowing how to bypass low security entry, like slipping a shim in a back door, they have knowledge of trusted and reliable locksmiths who can drill out a lock. They will hold the keys for a replacement lock for you too.
A locksmith won't do your lock without either you being there, with proof of identity and residence, or being assured by police that they have checked your identity, which they can do via their identity checks, driving licence etc.

Dwightlovesmichael · 21/05/2023 08:14

Thats great! So glad you got it sorted out.

This is totally the sort of thing I would do. The amount of times i’ve turned back ten mins into a journey as I’ve had to go and check I’ve switched things off is embarrassing.

Xmasbaby11 · 21/05/2023 08:14

Glad to hear it's switched off now - you did the right thing. Enjoy your holiday!

Redebs · 21/05/2023 08:15

Ovenon1 · 21/05/2023 08:12

It's all sorted. A gas engineer turned the gas off from outside.

I will let you know when we're back whether DH actually did leave the oven on by if the nob is turned.

Excellent news!
Now enjoy your croissants 😁

weirdoboelady · 21/05/2023 08:16

Ovenon1 · 21/05/2023 08:12

It's all sorted. A gas engineer turned the gas off from outside.

I will let you know when we're back whether DH actually did leave the oven on by if the nob is turned.

Excellent stuff. Looking forward to the update (less so to the inetrvening and interminable 'get a friend to turn it off' posts from people who haven't RTFT).

Zapzep · 21/05/2023 08:26

Ovenon1 · 20/05/2023 22:28

Yeah this is what I was thinking. Would the national gas service do that? Or we do need to find a 24hr gas engineer?

Or can literally anyone turn a gas meter off?

I'm so clueless - sorry!

Show quote history

Anyone can turn off the gas at the meter, by just pulling the handle. Can a cab company and ask the driver to do it. They just need a meter key, thats if you gas meter is outside.

Batshitcrazy007 · 21/05/2023 08:29

Oops

TinySaltLick · 21/05/2023 08:38

You could sell the house

Batalax · 21/05/2023 08:39

Posting to see if he did really leave it on.

Bet the gas board said it is a common occurrence.

Redebs · 21/05/2023 08:41

weirdoboelady · 21/05/2023 08:16

Excellent stuff. Looking forward to the update (less so to the inetrvening and interminable 'get a friend to turn it off' posts from people who haven't RTFT).

Show quote history

"Should have checked it before you left" 🤣🤣🤣

1fluffydoodle · 21/05/2023 08:41

Probably been asked already but do you have a smart meter to see your gas usage ?... it would be zero if you are away at this time of year unless the oven is on.
Meanwhile at least it's sorted by turning off the gas supply.

Lamelie · 21/05/2023 08:44

Twinpeaches · 21/05/2023 05:46

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.

That’s brilliant!

MILLYmo0se · 21/05/2023 08:48

Redglitter · 21/05/2023 07:59

Exactly! And suggesting getting local police to do a check is ridiculed as if preventing a fire and gas explosion aren't worth bothering them with

The Police will not get involved. They're not going to break a door in to check if a cooker is still on. That's never going to happen Fire Service probably would but at the cost of the front door

No one needs the police (or anyone else) to break in, just turn the gas off outside? Its been done now anyway buts its a v quick job that would prevent a disaster if the oven is on.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 21/05/2023 08:49

Ovenon1 · 21/05/2023 08:12

It's all sorted. A gas engineer turned the gas off from outside.

I will let you know when we're back whether DH actually did leave the oven on by if the nob is turned.

Good. Enjoy your holiday. And make sure you check it before you turn the gas back on!

I bet it was already off, though.

MissPoldark · 21/05/2023 08:52

Phew, bon vacances!!

CornishTiger · 21/05/2023 08:52

Glad it’s sorted but who did you actually call to get it turned off?

Wheresthebeach · 21/05/2023 09:01

Glad it’s sorted OP. It’s such an easy thing to worry about. Have a fab holiday

Abondanza · 21/05/2023 09:07

How did you find a gas engineer overnight? Not troll hunting just impressed!

TiredOfCleaning · 21/05/2023 09:13

Glad it's sorted.

This whole thread has been useful for me as now I know who to call if/when it happens to us!!

(I won't mention the time we thought we had left the electric blanket on when we went on holiday to the Channel islands... we hadn't. )

BobBobBobbing · 21/05/2023 09:21

There's surprisingly easy ways to break into houses if you need to. 20 odd years ago my parents were in a bad car accident just after moving to the other end of the country. I was 21, knew nobody in the area and didn't have any keys. My parents' keys had been lost in the aftermath. I had to get in the house as the dogs had been alone for hours but the police were no help whatsoever. I went in the local pub to ask if they had a yellow pages so I could find a local locksmith and told them what happened. They went "Ah lass, we'll sort you. One of the regulars does window fitting" and he came round, popped the glass out of the double glazed window so I could climb in and get the spare key. Then they popped the window back in for me and sealed it back up. I was absolutely amazed how easy it was and slightly freaked out