We’ve been here for almost a year and a half at this point, but it wasn’t until last month that I finally learned about the loud siren I hear occasionally. It’s an incredibly loud siren, and I remember being startled by it the first time I heard it. However, there was no screaming in the streets or lots of people running, so I figured I was safe. I’ve sort of ignored it ever since. Merian was visiting last month and happened to be here when the siren went off. I finally thought to ask what it was signifying.
It turns out that the siren is a test done on the first Monday of every month at noon. As long as that’s when you hear the clarion call, no worries. If you hear it any time other than that, well, duck and cover! Today is the first Monday of the month and I heard the siren go off 20 minutes ago, right on time. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to try to record it until it was too late. I gather it’s a nationwide test, not just Utrecht’s schedule. So, for my fellow expats who might have been as clueless as I was until recently, now you know what the sirens are for. Let’s just hope we never hear them at any other time.
It scared the crap out of me the first time I heard it 8 years ago
Ha! Me too! I was expecting bombs or something to be following close behind! I’m a fairly calm person, but the siren really startled me.
I always wonder what would happen if The Netherlands was actually attacked on the first Monday of the month. No one would ever expect it. It’d be like the boy who cried wolf! I’ll admit, the odds are slim, but still a scary thought nonetheless.
Hee! I had the same thought today, as well!
I was freaked out by it for awhile too!
They test the one where I live in Switzerland only once a year. The first time we heard it, we started to panic, but then realized that there wasn’t a thunder of footsteps running past our door (we’re on the first floor) to the basement where the bomb shelter is.
Before moving to Switzerland, I lived in Texas. Nothing will give you chills like hearing a tornado siren! Very similar!
Thanks for the explanation! I was at the window yesterday trying to work out why there were sirens coming from multiple directions.
In Melbourne, fire alarm tests are done regularly, but building-by-building at random schedules, so when they go off people sit around drinking their coffees discussing the likelihood of it being a real fire. I prefer the Dutch way.
I remember hearing sirens in Florida when I was growing up, but as we never did anything about them, I never paid any attention. Our office fire drills in New York were always lazy and generally ignored. Probably not such a wise idea, come to think of it.
I’m just glad I finally know what the Dutch siren is for. At least it’s loud enough that I do notice it amid all the church bells and chimes.
Whenever the sirens go off my husband and I scream “THE RUSSIANS ARE INVADING!!!” Because… we’re a little bit weird like that *L*
Oh, that’s an excellent response! hee!
We live close to a prison, so we usually joke that the siren means a prisoner has escaped. Although now, I guess we’ll be a bit more specific and say that a Belgian prisoner has escaped.
I like to confuse new expats by giving them my own explanation when they ask what the hell is going on:
“It’s the expat-man signal. Someone needs my help. Up, up and away.”
“That happens every time Febo sells 100 kip burgers.”
“Time to put on your clogs… it’s the law.”
“Quick, hide me! They’re hunting expats again! Please, I don’t want to be a frikandel!”
“Oh dear… The Dutch supply of cheese just ran out.”
“Oh no, it’s the Sinterklaas alarm! If we don’t make an offering of our naughty children quickly he will take his rage out on all of us!”
Oh, those are excellent! I particularly like the hunting expats one!