Page 4 | Government alert?!?!

hotmumshit · 2026-08-14T18:02:54+00:00

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

FinallyDecided · 14/08/2026 19:11

MrsM2025 · 14/08/2026 19:04

AIBU that I don’t think this alert system should have been used for this?

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?

Original poster

hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:12

BBC news alert

Really wish I could watch the news 😕

OP posts:

hellospring26 · 14/08/2026 19:12

I’m in hospital, all the phones plus the fucking fire alarms were going off

feellikeanalien · 14/08/2026 19:12

Did everyone in the UK get them? I think it might be switched off on my phone as DD gets very anxious about sudden loud noises.

ScottChegg · 14/08/2026 19:12

My DH was quite startled and jumped up from his chair. He said it sounds quite a lot like the siren for incoming. 😮

CossyBunt · 14/08/2026 19:12

We thought it was the carbon monoxide alarm going off and were preparing to evacuate

PyongyangKipperbang · 14/08/2026 19:12

DD and I are in N. Wales so it came through in Welsh. Understandable but....its tourist season in a dual language nation so might have been a good idea to send it with both languages at the same time! Spent 5 mins with google translate before the English version came through!

Lexy2345 · 14/08/2026 19:13

MrsM2025 · 14/08/2026 19:04

AIBU that I don’t think this alert system should have been used for this?

You don’t think it’s an emergency? Do you watch the news?

LooneyLiberalSpaceWaster · 14/08/2026 19:13

I jumped and my first thought was "oh shit the field is on fire"

Maybe some people don't follow the news or are just actual idiots having bbqs. I don't think its an over reaction as some people ignore polite requests.

glovebox · 14/08/2026 19:13

Screamingabdabz · 14/08/2026 19:09

Jeez the govt can’t keep sending national alerts to just ask people not to be utter morons surely?

I think unfortunately there are a lot of morons who need reminding that they can choose not to behave moronically

Rizzz · 14/08/2026 19:13

SadiraOfTyr · 14/08/2026 19:08

Why on earth would people want to switch them off?? We’ve had them before for severe storms and escaped dangerous prisoners. They can target a local area as well as issuing a national alert.

Because they’ll be sobbing, shaking and crying.

And of course Mumsnetting 😉

Original poster

hotmumshit · 14/08/2026 19:13

hellospring26 · 14/08/2026 19:12

I’m in hospital, all the phones plus the fucking fire alarms were going off

Fire alarms?!

Hope youre okay 💐

OP posts:

GrinchPink · 14/08/2026 19:13

Just as I’m breastfeeding my baby who is slowly falling asleep ffs. Both of us nearly for heart attack. I got the alert TWICE

OkieDokieLemonSmokie · 14/08/2026 19:13

It’s a great idea. Perhaps they should’ve done it on the 1st heatwave rather than the last!

melodypondisasuperhero · 14/08/2026 19:13

Came as I was putting the baby to sleep 😩

leavesinthebreeze · 14/08/2026 19:13

First time I have had one!

ATowerOfGiraffes · 14/08/2026 19:14

My parents - who live in central England - got the Welsh version. Well, my mum did. My dad was so confused by the alert he pushed a button and it vanished. So it was utterly pointless as a warning for them (fortunately they are not pyromaniacs). And then they rang me as they were worried it might have been important.

The government shouldn't be scaring the life out of OAPs in this way

RaraRachael · 14/08/2026 19:14

No alert here but then we haven't had any heatwaves.

Noshowlomo · 14/08/2026 19:14

Shit myself and have got a horrible feeling of being on edge now. My son cried! (To be fair both my husbands and my phone were in the room going off same time!)

Lexy2345 · 14/08/2026 19:14

PyongyangKipperbang · 14/08/2026 19:12

DD and I are in N. Wales so it came through in Welsh. Understandable but....its tourist season in a dual language nation so might have been a good idea to send it with both languages at the same time! Spent 5 mins with google translate before the English version came through!

I’m in Wales too and I sent a screenshot to ChatGPT. The first one was about flash flooding and thunderstorms, the second about wildfires and not to use barbecues or fire pits.

JenniferBooth · 14/08/2026 19:15

Facing the main road we have a pavement then a grass verge then our flats Someone only has to discard a fag end and it could all go up. People are stupid they also dont give a shit if it doesnt affect them.

Nousernameideaaga · 14/08/2026 19:15

Aiming4Optimistic · 14/08/2026 19:10

I'm actually a bit annoyed - that made me jump out of my skin, just to tell me something I've already seen the PM say in the news 6 times already!

Yeah that’s terrible. Much worse to be a bit startled for a few seconds than have your house burn to the ground because some wazzock simply has to have a bbq.

Dabralor · 14/08/2026 19:15

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 14/08/2026 19:11

Turned off Govt alerts in Covid, no interest

That’s clever as they were only introduced as a concept very recently.

Tbh it’s a bit weird not to be interested in potential threats to life. What will you do in the future if you can’t cadge over someone else’s shoulder to have a look at theirs?

Wonkybaby · 14/08/2026 19:15

The country is full of fucking idiots. Some dickheads near me were setting off fireworks at 1am. So yes it’s entirely appropriate to warn people, as clearly the critical thinking ability is sadly lacking (see disposable bbq user above)

SadiraOfTyr · 14/08/2026 19:15

The old national alert system used to rely on the radio and TV. Which was fine when everyone watched the TV and listened to the radio but now so many don’t, especially younger people so an alternative was needed.

It does actually work really well and of course those who don’t care that there is an imminent risk of flooding in their area, or a dangerous escaped prisoner is on the loose, can always switch it off.