How to use the online alarm clock
You are midway through something that cannot simply be abandoned, but your MP’s constituency surgery is approaching and you need a firm cue to break away. Setting the alarm for 5:57 pm gives you a clear stopping point, with three minutes left before 6:00 pm to gather your notes, check the address and leave without drifting into another task.
Your constituency surgery may take place somewhere quiet, so check the sound settings after setting the alarm and raise the volume to a level you will notice. Silent mode can prevent the alert being heard even while the timer appears to be working. Keep the browser active and the computer or phone awake: if either stops running, the alarm cannot sound, which could leave you late for the MP appointment. A brief test alert beforehand can confirm that the chosen sound is audible.
Leaving an unfinished task for a late-afternoon appointment is easier if hunger is not another distraction. A glass of water and a small, familiar snack before 5:57 pm should be manageable without delaying your departure. Save a full meal, hot drink or anything messy for after the constituency surgery, especially if the journey involves a bus or a walk through the evening rush. Keep water nearby for the final few minutes, then pack it with your papers when the alarm sounds.
Common questions
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.
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 5:57 pm?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
Cookie policy