To be concerned about my neighbours?

[Lynn981]

My neighbours are a young couple with a toddler. I normally seem them but I haven’t for 3 days now. All their lights and curtains hahe been drawn but their cars are still on the drive and haven’t moved. Or am I over thinking? It just seems a bit unusual. We are rural and you can’t really get to anywhere without a car, not even local shop. Also they’re not abroad or anything, as I actually spoke to the lady neighbour the other day and she said someone from the council was meant to be coming round

Please go round there OP. There is nothing wrong with being concerned about other people. We instinctively notice the day to day routines and habits of those around us, and there has been enough deviation from the norm here to make you worried. They may well have been called away suddenly on an emergency, but if there is no response to your knocking, then I would definitely contact the police and suggest a welfare check. They won't mind being contacted even if all is well.

Go and knock. Better safe than sorry. Call 999 if no answer and dog barking

You're just the neighbour everyone needs. Do knock on their door to check in or get the local support organisation to do a welfare check.

These are difficult times and kindness and looking out for each other is generally appreciated. Only you'll know what likely suits for the place you live in.

All I know is that if it were in my street, it would be appreciated.

I think it is highly likely they are away on a holiday and the dog is in kennels.

What are you thinking, that they are all dead? If they are, and obviously we all hope that is not the case, there's nothing you can do about it.

Or, two of them might be dead and a child waiting for someone to help them!

I'd put money on them having gone away and got a lift or a taxi rather than driving.

If you're really worried then yeah, fine, knock, but I think you're being a tad dramatic.

Do you not think the child would make a noise? And what about the dog? Stop feeding into the drama!

I don't think there should be drama though, I think it's reasonable for her to be concerned and to go round/ask for a welfare check.
I couldn't live with the "what ifs" if something bad happens, and would find being labelled as a nosy neighbour easier!

It’s not really drama though is it? It’s a pretty low stakes thing. The dilemma is literally to knock a door or not.

And sometimes things are wrong. So - she should knock the door.

I would just assume they were away for a few days - perhaps a taxi or friend picked them up.

Just go round and knock at the door, look what happened to that famous guy and his wife who were both found dead ( sorry I forgot his name )

Any update OP?
I would definitely knock on the door. If all is well I’d just be honest and say I wondered if they had this horrible bug and if they needed anything- milk, bread etc.
OTOH, parents may be ill and unable to care for little one who could be in need of food and drink.

Have you knocked yet

Have you knocked yet

Just give them a knock. The likelihood is that they’ve gone away and tried to make the house appear occupied by leaving cars on the drive and closing the curtains or they’re holed up with a sickness bug.

If you don’t get a response just keep an eye over the next few days and if there any signs of something more sinister that develop then put a call in with 101.

Hello, sorry. I’ve been at work. I did knock this morning around 10, before leaving. But no answer.

Couldn’t hear any noise or the dog. It’s just strange because their living room window can be seen from my landing. And the light is always on at night. And it isn’t. Perhaps they are abroad, but they didn’t mention it. Any holidays in the past they have let me know when I’ve seen them, just so I can keep an eye out on their house

i think the most likely explanation is that they have gone away but I would still have that nagging concern about the child.
At the risk
of overstepping the mark, I would try again and if no response I would call the police non-emergency number to ask for a welfare check.

Sorry, I’m getting over this nasty bug and have been doom scrolling. I’ve been upset about stuff I’ve read so probably I’m being a bit over emotional.

WTF?! You don’t open your curtains? Why on earth not? Your neighbours will be thinking it’s a doss house

This happened to me and a neighbour .I was reluctant to knock and check and then I did after 3 days , the husband had died and his wife was wheelchair bound couldn’t call for help , we had to break in and called the police , sadly she died a few days later. I always regretted not acting sooner .

I never open my blinds although I do open my curtains. I don't want people seeing into my house lol

Yeah, I don't get it, but ....

If they asked you to watch their house in the past, wouldn't you have their number?

That's different, though. Blinds are for privacy and shade. Curtains are night - night.