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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I’ve turned my emergency alert off because I’m such a rebel!

514 replies

StupidFaces · 23/04/2023 09:47

Urgh

Facebook … numerous posts over the last days consisting of:

“EMERGENCY ALERT SWITCHED OFF!!”

“Leaving my emergency alert on so I can reply and tell them to go and fuck themselves!”

“Remember everyone, emergency alerts can and should be switched off by tomorrow!”

“That’s my emergency alert turned off lol”

Why??? What’s so big and clever about turning the alert off? Don’t people realise that most countries have had this for years? Turning it off doesn’t make you Billy Big Bollocks and boasting about it just makes you look stupid!

YABU - I’ve turned mine off and I’m proud of it! Down with the establishment!

YANBU - people are ridiculous

OP posts:
Original poster
StupidFaces · 23/04/2023 11:58

Hugasauras · 23/04/2023 10:35

I don't get all the fuss about it. Call me crazy but yes I would like to be alerted asap to emergency situations that might affect my family. And people behaving like this test is going to give them a heart attack, they'll be jumping out of their skin, they're so on edge Confused You know exactly when it's happening and it's just a phone alert. It's not someone with a trombone creeping up behind you and blasting Land of Hope and Glory in your ear.

On the list of things that I have on my mind at any given time, a brief noise on my phone that I know is happening at 3pm on a Sunday is pretty far down.

😂😂😂

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 23/04/2023 11:58

SpeedSnap · 23/04/2023 11:45

I have done the same.

I live with someone who pays no attention to the world about them so I don't know if they are aware if this, so it may be interesting.

Show quote history

It doesn’t matter what you do with the sound on your phone - the volume of the alert noise is the same for everyone (even if your phone is on silent)

ThankmelaterOkay · 23/04/2023 11:58

BrutusMcDogface · 23/04/2023 11:55

I need to go shopping later. Might aim to be in the supermarket at 3 to see what transpires 😜

setiously, though, I thought it was a good idea when I was in Florida and got missing child alerts. That sort of thing can’t be bad, right?

Child abductor gets alert. “Oh shit they are on to me, better let this kid go, and not harm it in any way”.

CurlewKate · 23/04/2023 11:58

I'm interested to see what it sounds like. Also hoping I remember to take my ever present earbuds (look at me, the cool 60 year old) out so it doesn't blast my eardrums!

ArcticSkewer · 23/04/2023 11:59

I'm excited to hear the UK is going to be experiencing tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes - sounds like the next decade is warming up to be much spicier than the last.

DiscoDragon · 23/04/2023 12:00

ShimmeringShirts · 23/04/2023 11:52

People are morons, the good news is if an actual emergency happens then those that choose to turn it off will be helping to depopulate an overpopulated world.

How rude! I live in a small village on Dartmoor where most of these fantasy scenarios of impending doom are highly unlikely to ever happen, and even if they do it would be all over social media and the news anyway. If I somehow still manage to miss out on the alert that terrorists have decided to attack our small farming community I'm 100% certain that my family/friends/neighbours would let us know!

Juiceboxxy · 23/04/2023 12:00

I've turned mine off, I work nights. It's akin to being woken up at 3am. I'll take the risk.

Jenasaurus · 23/04/2023 12:00

LouisCatorze · 23/04/2023 11:50

Would there really be any point in being advised of an impending nuclear attack, particularly if you were likely to be vaporised on impact because of where you live? Think I'd rather just be getting on with life and then just cease to be.

Can you imagine the panic?

Interesting you mention vaporising radius areas as I was reading up on the old notification to be aired on TV for imminent attack and as I live 26 miles from London, so less than 14km from a target so not instant vaporisation, and I shouldn't have to evacuate but sit in my only windowless area and cower for 14 days (so my small bathroom then!)

SoupDragon · 23/04/2023 12:00

Comedycook · 23/04/2023 11:29

These things aren't a conspiracy. Ulez is already here. Pay per mile is not a myth. 15 minute cities are not a conspiracy...councils are pretty open about them.

Show quote history

whipped into a panic endlessly... living in a state of perpetual fear

Like I said, back in the world of sane people...

Parker231 · 23/04/2023 12:01

Mn is not the real world where I don’t know anyone who is considering blocking the alert. It’s a test - a non event . Some Mn users seems to have a huge amount of paranoia.

SpeedSnap · 23/04/2023 12:02

I can understand those with work, anxiety and DV type issues turning it off.

Why are the contrarians upset?

Needmorelego · 23/04/2023 12:03

@ArcticSkewer I doubt the UK will.... although we do get earthquakes.
You do realise this system is used for issues relevant to the country the alarm is going off in.
So Hawaii might get volcano alerts, Turkey = earthquakes, Canada = extreme snow, California = wildfires.
Duh 🙄

Nocutenamesleft · 23/04/2023 12:03

OddBoots · 23/04/2023 09:57

There is a fair amount of information around at the moment warning those who may be in domestic abuse situations about it and suggesting they turn it off for any hidden phone.

This is all good stuff but this won't be the only time it goes off, anyone entering that situation after this test may not think of it when getting a new phone. It doesn't feel like it should be a bit job to have part of the initial set up of a device a screen where one choses yes or no to the alerts, I understand why it would be a bad plan to default off but for some it is also a bad plan to default on - having it as a 'yes' or no' feels like the more sensible option.

Hahah. It could also reveal husband secret phones……

Hellybelly84 · 23/04/2023 12:03

I was just having this conversation with DH today. Its just trying to be awkward (unless reasons such as domestic violence/hidden phone etc).

They will be the first ones complaining when there’s something like a flood and they dont get the alert to get out quick. Its a teeny tiny chance it will ever be used but i’d rather have it than not.

SirTarquin · 23/04/2023 12:04

Seems a load of fuss about nothing really.

Biggest use of emergency alerts is extreme weather which we don't really have here in the sense of tornados or tsunamis appearing out of nowhere. Most extreme weather here is pre-warned via forecast several days in advance.

Terrorist attack news (in terms of avoid the area after the event) spreads quickly on main news and social media.

Pre-terrorist attack unexpected event (eg. Manchester arena) there is no chance to warn because that is precisely how it occurred- under the radar.

So - unless the government are going to abuse it with daft alerts about a burst watermain in the local high street - you are looking at an microscopic amount of situations where an emergency warning is going to be warranted or likely.

ShowUs · 23/04/2023 12:04

The ridiculing of autistic people and those with mental illnesses on these threads is appalling.

How loud do you think it’s going to be?

The amount of parents who would rather their child be put in harms way rather than deal with a potential, unlikely meltdown is very concerning.

I assume these autistic children never watch TV or play computer games with the sound on, have smoke alarms in their homes, play with other children who tend to scream and shout, go to the cinema or play sports, don’t go to school with other SEND kids or have school bells, never goes in a car incase of someone beeping and don’t leave their homes incase there is a loud noise.

I am autistic, my child is autistic and I work with autistic children.

No one I know will be turning off the alarm because they care about their kid’s safety and it is better that they hear the sound in a non-emergency in the safety of their own homes, than in an emergency when it is much more difficult to cope with a meltdown.

If you have an autistic child you will also have ear defenders which they can wear.

Readinstead · 23/04/2023 12:06

My dsis wants to turn hers off but won't because "if you don't respond " they" will cut off your phone and it won't work anymore". She didn't tell me this, but told our dm who is in her 80's and not at all tech minded - dm told her that she was being ridiculous.
We are at a child's softplay birthday party today at 3.00pm so that should be fun when all the phones go off just as they are calling the dc for x's party to go to the room for food!

Okunevo · 23/04/2023 12:06

Parker231 · 23/04/2023 12:01

Mn is not the real world where I don’t know anyone who is considering blocking the alert. It’s a test - a non event . Some Mn users seems to have a huge amount of paranoia.

We are here in the 'real world', people who feel the need to turn off the alert just may have reduced face to face interactions because of the same disabilities or mental health issues that mean they have turned off the alarm.

Trinity65 · 23/04/2023 12:06

GoodChat · 23/04/2023 11:18

This is exactly why I've left it on. I want to know what it sounds like and how it works.

Show quote history

Same here

Mueslikid · 23/04/2023 12:07

I feel I only want an actual sirening alert if my life is in imminent danger, and I need to take immediate action.

Not that there’s a factory on fire down the road and I should maybe close the windows, or that certain roads are closed Confused.

I’m not convinced about the terrorist scenario. Perhaps I’ve seen too many crime dramas where someone is hiding from a gunman, and then their phone rings and gives their hiding place away.

Extreme weather/meteors/wildfires/floods etc, there is going to be a bit of warning. I’d expect to see that sort of thing on the news (as I do currently). So I don’t feel I need an audible alert. I’d be happy with a silent text.

If it’s a warning of nuclear attack, well, there’s absolutely nothing I could do, it’s far too late by that point. So I’d rather have 4 minutes of ignorance.

afterdropshock · 23/04/2023 12:07

I try not to have my phone on me all the time, turn off mobile data and location. So I would likely be at home in the event of my phone going off. I turned it off in protest as I never opted in to this or gave my number willingly. I can understand people sharing how to turn off alerts to share info, or to be an anti establishment voice. Not showing off.

SpeedSnap · 23/04/2023 12:08

SirTarquin · 23/04/2023 12:04

Seems a load of fuss about nothing really.

Biggest use of emergency alerts is extreme weather which we don't really have here in the sense of tornados or tsunamis appearing out of nowhere. Most extreme weather here is pre-warned via forecast several days in advance.

Terrorist attack news (in terms of avoid the area after the event) spreads quickly on main news and social media.

Pre-terrorist attack unexpected event (eg. Manchester arena) there is no chance to warn because that is precisely how it occurred- under the radar.

So - unless the government are going to abuse it with daft alerts about a burst watermain in the local high street - you are looking at an microscopic amount of situations where an emergency warning is going to be warranted or likely.

The IRA sent coded warnings ahead of attacks back in the day.

I remember being turned away from a small bomb by the police.

DiscoDragon · 23/04/2023 12:10

ShowUs · 23/04/2023 12:04

The ridiculing of autistic people and those with mental illnesses on these threads is appalling.

How loud do you think it’s going to be?

The amount of parents who would rather their child be put in harms way rather than deal with a potential, unlikely meltdown is very concerning.

I assume these autistic children never watch TV or play computer games with the sound on, have smoke alarms in their homes, play with other children who tend to scream and shout, go to the cinema or play sports, don’t go to school with other SEND kids or have school bells, never goes in a car incase of someone beeping and don’t leave their homes incase there is a loud noise.

I am autistic, my child is autistic and I work with autistic children.

No one I know will be turning off the alarm because they care about their kid’s safety and it is better that they hear the sound in a non-emergency in the safety of their own homes, than in an emergency when it is much more difficult to cope with a meltdown.

If you have an autistic child you will also have ear defenders which they can wear.

I have no idea how loud it's going to be and that's the problem! My son doesn't get distressed by all loud noises but he gets very panicked when there are siren/alarm type noises like our smoke alarm. I just don't see the need to willingly subject him (or myself) to that for no good reason. There is no threat to my childs safety, it's only a stupid test today!