An alarm clock may be made very useful in giving a warning of the necessity of inspecting a given process which otherwise might be overlooked, and when food materials are frequently spoiled in preparation from lack of attention, the use of an alarm clock will soon save its cost.

In using the alarm feature of an alarm clock, the setting mechanism should be turned in one direction only, for the same reason as in the case of setting a clock with striking mechanism to correct time, to avoid locking or breaking the setting device. Occasionally the indicating hand of the alarm will not be placed correctly on its pinion and the alarm will sound at a different time from that expected. This error will be a constant one, however, and its amount having been once learned, allowance may be made for it in setting the hand; or a watch repairer can correct the fault very quickly. Many alarm clocks have the dial for setting the alarm of very small diameter, making it difficult accurately to set the hand. For this use it is desirable to secure a clock with as large an alarm-hand dial as possible, preferably one having the alarm hand set on the central pinion with the hour and minute hands. With such a clock the alarm can be set quite accurately for giving a signal at short intervals and can be used to give warnings of the time to inspect certain processes of the kitchen, for the taking of medicine at regular intervals, and the like.