How to use the online alarm clock
Getting the van ready early at 12:38 am leaves room to check the crates, paperwork and keys before the morning milk round begins. With 1:00 am approaching, the alarm can mark the point when preparation should move from quiet checks to loading, without relying on a hurried glance at the clock.
A milk-round alarm may seem silent if its sound has been routed to headphones that are still paired but no longer being worn. The selected time and volume should therefore be checked through the same audio output that will remain connected during preparation. The alarm cannot call anyone back to the van if this page has been closed or the phone or computer has gone to sleep, so it needs to stay open on an awake device until it rings.
Before stepping outside for the next van check, the conditions around the yard deserve a moment’s attention. At this hour, damp air can leave handles, steps and loading surfaces slick, while a closed cab may feel stuffy after standing overnight. Keeping a dry cloth near the door and allowing a brief burst of fresh air before loading can make the 12:38 am preparation more comfortable and help keep moisture away from paperwork.
Common questions
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?
No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.
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