We've all done it - left the house and then spent the next hour or however long wondering if we turned the oven off, or if we left the iron on, or the hair straighteners, and then thought of them accidentally causing a fire and the whole place burning down.
Of course, the vast majority of the time, if you trudge back home to check, you'll discover that yes, in fact you did turn everything off and now you're late for work for no good reason. But what if there was an easy way to avoid that scenario - and all the anxiety and hassle that comes with it?
Well, one expert has come up with a foolproof and easy solution. Whether you're just popping to the supermarket or going away for a couple of weeks on that much-needed holiday, Nicole Dieker suggests taking photos of your oven dials, iron or whatever else you think might trigger that fire before you leave the house.
Although the original article was first published in 2017, its basic principles remain the same.
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In the piece, Dieker explains she first used this trick after her landlord had installed a new heating system and thermostats in her apartment building. But she soon realised it was a useful trick when it comes to everyday life, too.
She writes: "Before leaving the house, take a photo of your stove and oven dials - or your thermostat, or your iron, or anything else you worry about accidentally leaving on. If your brain starts to play the 'Did I really turn it off' game, you can simply tap your photo app and see for yourself."
It's so simple and obvious - especially as most people have a phone with a camera on them most of the time anyway - and it's a life hack travel expert Sunil Metcalfe says could indeed help your peace of mind, though of course that isn't guaranteed.
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He told the Mirror: "Similar to forwarding your emails to your colleague or leaving your pet in the care of someone you trust, taking a picture of the locked back door, the closed garage door or unplugged appliance, allows you peace of mind to let go and be fully present.
"We've all had that gut-wrenching moment en route to the airport where you think you've made a critical error in preparing for your trip. Having a picture eliminates this moment of panic."
We know what we're trying next time we go on holiday. If we ever go on holiday again, that is...
Featured Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels