I know all of you have gotten used to checking to see if it was an orange, yellow, or red day according to the Department of Homeland Security’s color-coded terror alert system. But now that’s all gone, and you can check Facebook or Twitter to see whether or not the world is going to blow up today.

In addition to trying to reach people on the sites and services they check more frequently than the DHS homepage, the new alert system is intended to replace the vague dread of an orange or red alert with more specific information on an alert.

DHS has launched @ntasalerts for those who prefer to receive their terror alerts in 140 characters or less.

And for interested citizens who wish to hear the latest about the terror alert’s kids’ soccer games and feelings about American Idol, there’s the NTAS Alerts Facebook page.

“This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector,” reads a statement on the agency’s site.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.