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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:
Elphame · 23/04/2023 13:34

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:05

what do you think is "batshit" about being warned of a meteorite strike?

Show quote history

Well for example there are plenty of people who WOULD run to the area of a predicted meteorite strike in the hope of seeing it or picking up the fragments as they are valuable! Chances are they'd run to the wrong place of course as the alerts won't be that accurate but it would actually increase the potential risk of people being killed.

People do not act rationally. That is well understood.

Cap89 · 23/04/2023 13:34

lurcherlove · 23/04/2023 13:22

I’ve left my on because I’m curious to see if the alerts actually work. I don’t think the government will actually pull it off.

There’s not really anything for ‘the government’ to pull off. It’s been a joint project between all the mobile phone networks (in conjunction with the government). Pretty sure they’ve got it in hand.

Qilin · 23/04/2023 13:35

tsunami- live over 30 miles from sea but even if I didn't what could I do?

It would give you time to get to higher ground.
Tsunami warnings happen in other countries and they help save lives.

Sublime66 · 23/04/2023 13:35

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:16

absolute nonsense, you have no idea what you are talking about. Many meteorites arrive with no warning at all, and many with limited warning. There are millions of near earth objects, they cant all be tracked and predicted perfectly. A meteor explode over Kiev without any warning last week.

Why should you be afraid of them? Just take the precautions recommended if it becomes necessary, that is all

Show quote history

you've misunderstood my message. yes meteorites can't be tracked and come unexpectedly, hence the reason why the alarm system is useless.
Also for climate disasters it is pretty useless too, in the uk.

WoodenFloorboards · 23/04/2023 13:36

ClaudiaWankleman · 23/04/2023 13:21

What was batshit was that you read a post where the user expressed that in an apocalyptical nuclear war or meteorite strike situation, she would prefer to stay ignorant.

And then you turned that around to scold her for not wanting to stay clear of flying glass! 😂 As if that would make any difference at all.

Please do remain absolutely batshit though - it brings so much character to this place!

Show quote history

Meteorite strikes are a very extreme example of course, but it demonstrates a really important principle relevant to this thread.

When an extreme event like a cat 5 hurricane, an earthquake, a large bomb, or even something bonkers but possible like meteorite or nuclear event happens then there's very little anyone can do to stop the people in the centre dying, unless you've got enough warning to evacuate them a fair distance. But at the edges there's much more that can be done to prevent people dying from preventable causes like flying debris or glass. And simple geometry means that there's normally a lot more people at the edges than there are at the centre.

Elphame · 23/04/2023 13:38

StupidFaces · 23/04/2023 13:10

“I’m turning it off! I’m not having the government track my every move!”

Yes, because I’m sure the government are very interested in what Dave from down the street is upto when the highlight of his day is putting a bet on at the bookies and buying a 6 pack of Stella on the way home 🙄

Unless you’re the secret love child of Pablo Escobar and carrying on his life’s work inbetween the school run I very much doubt the government gives a shit what you’re upto 😂 some people place way too much importance on themselves.

Really? Visit Llandudno and use the free wifi and you'll then be tracked around the town. The scheme has now been extended to other areas.

Same in Betws y Coed now too.

"As part of this separate pilot project, in partnership with Welsh Government, Conwy is able to track WiFi users’ mobile phones as they move around Llandudno’s Mostyn Street."

BadNomad · 23/04/2023 13:38

MN is going to be flooded soon with threads about husbands' secret phones going off.

WoodenFloorboards · 23/04/2023 13:40

I am curious whether people with secret phones normally keep them turned off or just on silent. I guess we'll find out.

Qilin · 23/04/2023 13:40

EllandRd · 23/04/2023 11:46

Same, they have no right to add it to my phone without my consent.

The feature has been available of phones for many years.

Mine went off a few years ago in America.
I hadn't realised it was a feature of my phone.
However, that's my fault for never looking at all the settings before.
It was, in no way, intrusive into my life and a quick tap on my phone stopped it. It stops automatically after a short time anyway.
When it happened the first time I was just interested in the system, then wondered why it wasn't widespread across the world tbh as it seemed like a sensible thing to have access to.

Grumpypotamus · 23/04/2023 13:42

BadNomad · 23/04/2023 13:38

MN is going to be flooded soon with threads about husbands' secret phones going off.

Yes, all the trolls are getting ready..

Monstersinked · 23/04/2023 13:42

I've left it on because at 3pm I intend to have a cream tea and It'll remind me Grin

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:43

ClaudiaWankleman · 23/04/2023 13:33

Well if I was about to have a meteorite crash down on me and kill me, I would probably prefer to not get a notification on my phone telling me. I’d be much happier going about my everyday life and dying ignorantly and unexpectedly.

That’s all the PP was conveying, although the nuance somehow managed to escape your black hole-like density.

Show quote history

the whole point is there is no need at all to be at risk of death or injury if you have the warning system switched on, and take the recommended steps to protect yourself. There is unlikely to be any injuries at all

for a meteorite strike you literally only have to get yourself inside away from windows, so in you upstairs hall, with the doors closed, or similar.

I am not remotely dense, and clearly have far more understanding of meteorites than you do,

to say you would rather not have any warning of a meteorite strike is clearly nonsense, when you could get badly hurt without a warning, and be completely safe with a warning - it is the absolutely top example of what this warning system is built to do

BadNomad · 23/04/2023 13:45

Grumpypotamus · 23/04/2023 13:42

Yes, all the trolls are getting ready..

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Yep.

"Been together 15 years, married for 10, I thought we were happy..."

JenniferBooth · 23/04/2023 13:47

OP if the Government hadnt behaved the way they have over the last three years people would not be so skeptical about this

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:48

Meteorite strikes are a very extreme example of course, but it demonstrates a really important principle relevant to this thread.

They are not an extreme example, many hit the earth every year, the main injuries they cause are due to flying glass, and these days, although some strike without warning, there are often short warning periods of a few minutes before the strike. certainly, enough time for people to take shelter if they receive the warning

one exploded over Kiev last week.

Unsure33 · 23/04/2023 13:49

I wish we had one when we came close to being caught in a wildfire in portugal 🤷‍♀️ we did not have a clue what was going on . I can’t see why you would turn it off .

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:50

Sublime66 · 23/04/2023 13:35

you've misunderstood my message. yes meteorites can't be tracked and come unexpectedly, hence the reason why the alarm system is useless.
Also for climate disasters it is pretty useless too, in the uk.

Show quote history

meteors can be and are tracked, the smaller they are the less warning you have of their arrival.

I just linked to to news story about 10 years ago of 1000 people being injured by flying glass after a meteorite strike

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:51

Unsure33 · 23/04/2023 13:49

I wish we had one when we came close to being caught in a wildfire in portugal 🤷‍♀️ we did not have a clue what was going on . I can’t see why you would turn it off .

well, friends of mine had a similar experience in Kent last summer

Qilin · 23/04/2023 13:52

The social media posts were shared from a dv charity.

They aren't the ones I'm talking about. As previously said, those ones are perfectly fine and common sense advice for those in vulnerable positions.

It's the 'the government won't be controlling me, it's all to cause fear, I'm a rebel and won't follow the rules; type social media posts that are the one I'm talking about. If people feel like that then simply turn it off. Why make a fuss in social media about it?

Nimbostratus100 · 23/04/2023 13:53

Elphame · 23/04/2023 13:34

Well for example there are plenty of people who WOULD run to the area of a predicted meteorite strike in the hope of seeing it or picking up the fragments as they are valuable! Chances are they'd run to the wrong place of course as the alerts won't be that accurate but it would actually increase the potential risk of people being killed.

People do not act rationally. That is well understood.

Show quote history

they are not valuable

I've got a bit in my hand right now. Its worth about 70p

BeetleBailey · 23/04/2023 13:53

I turned mine off weeks ago

The Gov can stick it up their arse

Qilin · 23/04/2023 13:54

CrossBun · 23/04/2023 13:18

I wonder if it will expose any hidden phones.

A lot of official advice and reminders for those in DV situations has been posted regularly on social media and through other sources, so hopefully the advice has been followed.

I assume secret opines used by those having affairs or for dealing, etc have probably seen the DV advise and also turned off the alerts as a result too.

toomuchlaundry · 23/04/2023 13:55

@BeetleBailey you know that doesn't make you look clever

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 23/04/2023 13:55

WoodenFloorboards · 23/04/2023 13:04

I think anyone who can't interpret a message saying "risk of flying glass from blast, go to a room with no windows" to mean "or glass doors either" would probably be doomed, yes. Grin

Show quote history

I was joking but I'm stuffed anyway as all of the rooms in my flat have glass!

toomuchlaundry · 23/04/2023 13:55

@BeetleBailey have you been abroad lately, did you turn it off then?