Set the alarm clock for 6:28 am

How to use the online alarm clock

Before handing over the early shift, you are leaving a 6:28 am alarm so the next person checks the Met Office warning for ice. That gives them time to see whether roads or pavements are affected and pass on anything relevant before 7:00 am. A clear note beside the alarm can identify the forecast area and the person taking over, avoiding uncertainty when it sounds.

For a quiet handover, a softer tone may be enough if the other person is already awake and expecting the alert. A more persistent sound suits a busy room or someone working away from the screen, although it should still be recognisable rather than startling. The alarm cannot sound after its browser page is closed or the computer is allowed to sleep, so the ice warning may remain unchecked unless the person taking over also has a separate fallback.

Anyone returning to bed after the Met Office check can keep the interruption short by preparing the forecast location beforehand and lowering the screen brightness. At 6:28 am, early light may still be limited in Britain during much of the year, so a brief, focused check preserves more of the sleep left before the usual morning begins. If action is unnecessary, silencing the alarm promptly and avoiding further notifications can make settling down again easier.