Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Government alert?!?!

694 replies

hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:02

Uh Oh Wow GIF by Bounce

Omg? First use of the government phone alerts, i think??

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Littlejellyuk · 14/08/2026 19:24

My good god, I was texting someone and then it alerted in my hands!
I nearly jumped out of my skin! 😆
Dh said he heard that there were wild fires by Formby beach dunes last night 😨 🔥 ⛱️
So dangerous. 😔
@hotmumshit

Travellingshoes · 14/08/2026 19:24

I really hope this will stop the bloody daily fireworks in my area every night!

Poppy61 · 14/08/2026 19:24

Its not the first use of these alerts, but yes, they make you jump out of your skin.

JohnBullshit · 14/08/2026 19:24

I got the alert on my phone, but it didn't make a noise. I only looked to see what you were all on about.

Overitallnow · 14/08/2026 19:24

Don't think anyone has ever been prosecuted for using a hosepipe in a ban.

Jc2001 · 14/08/2026 19:23

Princessfluffy · 14/08/2026 19:21

Outrageous abuse of power by the government. Be aware of the risk of wildfires is not an emergency announcement.

Why is it an abuse of power to send out a warning?

JustAnotherWhinger · 14/08/2026 19:23

The alert didn’t just mention bbqs. The point about firepits, garden incinerators and lanterns makes me wonder if they’re going to bring in a temporary ban on all of those things.

Given how easily the fire spread in Stourbridge they need to try and prevent that happening in other areas.

roughtrenches2 · 14/08/2026 19:23

CoffeeBotherer · 14/08/2026 19:21

It tells you a lot about the mentality of some of our countrymen that we need to be reminded not to set the world on fire.

I am laughing at the through of someone getting it in the middle of rolling out sausages on a disposable bbq just as it came 🤣🤣 you bet half of them startled looked at their sausages and then went oh well and carried on

daisyfallout · 14/08/2026 19:23

A friend crashed into the car in front when it braked suddenly and she got distracted by a siren. Minor damage, but annoying. I’d just come back from Ukraine, so my first thought was - fuck, a ballistic missile for the City, and I’m on the 28th floor, better make one last coffee, quick 😌

Original poster
hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:23

CarrotGiraffeandaTeddyBear · 14/08/2026 19:22

I just thought, omfg, we’ve eaten all the good stuff out of the nuclear war stash. All that’s left is a bag of pasta and some out of date biscuits. I need to stock up.

😩 my nuclear war stash got raided before payday and never replaced

Must sort it

OP posts:
BirdLandedonmyHead · 14/08/2026 19:23

Seeing us there was a fire yesterday a mile away it did make me jump a bit.

hmmdunno · 14/08/2026 19:22

Why people freaking out about this? It’s not new information sent to terrify, half the midlands has been on fire, it’s been all over the news, people in Manchester and Wales smelling smoke from moors and mountains on fire, it’s just a warning to be extra careful. People can be bloody stupid about burning leaves etc

ilovesooty · 14/08/2026 19:22

Frumpitydoo · 14/08/2026 19:06

Can you switch this function off on Samsungs please? Utter cunts this government.

For goodness sake. Do you think any other government would be acting differently?

Original poster
hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:22

JustAnotherWhinger · 14/08/2026 19:21

They’ve been dealing with the biggest wildfire around the cairngorms in years since mid July

Show quote history

Wow, how awful 😕

And weird then, there being no alert

I guess they figure Scots are smart!

OP posts:
CarrotGiraffeandaTeddyBear · 14/08/2026 19:22

I just thought, omfg, we’ve eaten all the good stuff out of the nuclear war stash. All that’s left is a bag of pasta and some out of date biscuits. I need to stock up.

Millytante · 14/08/2026 19:22

FinallyDecided · 14/08/2026 19:11

I think you are yes. Saw a family last week having a disposable BBQ in the middle of a massive patch of grass (hay..) the other day. Idiots. Maybe people like that will think twice now?

Show quote history

Or just have a blinking picnic, like everyone used to. Far nicer.
(How anyone fancies greasy burgers and baked spuds etc, everyone wreathed in black smuts and smoke when it’s 30 degrees out beats me anyway.)

NC9000 · 14/08/2026 19:22

I've put my settings on so they're ignored. I don't care if we get nuked. I can't control that or live through it so don't need to know about it.

Boreded · 14/08/2026 19:22

hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:07

My mind immediately went to war tbh!

Not dramatic at all then

Lentilcakes · 14/08/2026 19:21

Scared the shit out of me - and the cat!!!

Tableforjoan · 14/08/2026 19:21

FrostyMorn · 14/08/2026 19:16

For all of you saying it should only be used if there's an actual fire nearby, the whole point is to PREVENT there being more fires.

The twats setting off fireworks nightly here and bbqing in the lay-by sucking on their nos bottles will give zero fucks about this alert. Because they do it every single night.

We know where the hydrant is, we know how to use it. We all locals have our hoses ready to go this alert will do fuck all for us.

Princessfluffy · 14/08/2026 19:21

Outrageous abuse of power by the government. Be aware of the risk of wildfires is not an emergency announcement.

Shesellsseashellsx · 14/08/2026 19:21

Be grateful you don’t live in Cardiff which is 90% English speaking but the Welsh Government decided to send the alert in Welsh 🙄 Has no idea what we were being alerted about!

BarryKentPoet · 14/08/2026 19:21

Didn't get it in my part of Scotland

Specialneedsnightmare · 14/08/2026 19:21

Nearly gave me a heart attack.

Mitzyme · 14/08/2026 19:21

My adult daughter and son plus grandchildren received the alert. I only know as they phoned me to check if I had.
l am disabled and on every priority list. No alert. They thankfully live nearby.
I’m obviously expendable.