TOP 10 CODES YOU AREN’T MEANT TO KNOW

Discover the top 10 secret codes used in stores, hospitals, ships, and law enforcement that you were never meant to know — including Code Adam, Ten Codes, and Inspector Sands. Learn what these hidden messages really mean.

CODE ADAM

“Code Adam” was invented by Wal-Mart but it is now an internationally recognized alert and means “missing child.” The code was first coined in 1994 in memory of Adam Walsh, a six-year-old who went missing in a Sears department store in Florida in 1981. Adam was later found murdered. The announcement will state: “We have a Code Adam,” followed by a description of the missing child. Security will monitor exits immediately. If the child is not found within 10 minutes, police are alerted. If the child is found with an unknown adult, the adult is detained if safe. In 2003, it became compulsory in federal buildings. A similar alert is the AMBER alert, named after Amber Hagerman.

WAL-MART

Wal-Mart has a unique set of store-specific codes. Some are harmless:

Code 10/20: dry/wet spill

Code 300: security

Code Orange: chemical spill
But others are serious:

Code Red: fire

Code Blue: bomb threat

Code Green: hostage situation

Code White: accident

Code C: customer service
These codes help staff act fast without causing panic.

INSPECTOR SANDS

Used in the UK, “Inspector Sands” is a secret fire alert code. Rather than announce “fire,” staff are told something like: “Will Inspector Sands report to the lobby.” It’s widely used in stores, theaters, and the Underground. A recorded message plays if smoke is detected. During the 2005 London bombings, it was used on a loop. It’s often confused with bomb alerts — for those, codes like “Mr. Gravel” are used.

CODE BRAVO

At airports, “Code Bravo” triggers a general security alert. Security staff yell “Code Bravo” loudly to alarm the crowd and gain control. On ships, it means “fire” — the most dangerous situation at sea. Ships also use sound signals like “seven short and one long” to signal “man the lifeboats.”

CODE OSCAR

On ships, “Code Oscar” means “man overboard.” When this happens, the ship must quickly change direction and sound alert blasts to warn other nearby vessels. Ships may also use:

Code Alpha: medical emergency

Code Delta: biological hazard

DOCTOR BROWN

In hospitals, “Doctor Brown” is a code used when a staff member is in danger — like from a violent patient. Paging “Doctor Brown to Room X” alerts security. Other codes:

Code Silver: person with a weapon

Code Gray: violent person without a weapon
Codes vary by hospital and country.

CODE 10

A “Code 10” has two meanings:

In hospitals: mass casualty or serious threat

In retail: suspicious credit card transaction
Merchants call the credit card company and say “Code 10” without informing the customer. The company then asks secret questions to verify fraud. If suspicious, the merchant may keep the card and alert law enforcement.

TIME CHECK

In retail stores, “Time Check” is a secret bomb alert code. It’s used as: “Time check: the time is 12:00.” It silently tells staff to follow bomb protocols — either search or evacuate. Shockingly, some staff are expected to search for the bomb. If you hear this, it’s smart to move toward the exit.

PROFESSIONAL CODES

In tech support, professionals sometimes use secret codes for difficult customers:

PEBKAC: Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair

PICNIC: Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

ID10T Error: (read as “idiot”)
These codes are unofficial, funny — but a bit insulting.

TEN CODES

Used by law enforcement since 1937 (expanded in 1974), Ten Codes help radio communication. Example:

• 10-31: crime in progress
• 10-00: officer down
• 10-27-1: homicide
  California police also use numeric codes like “187” for homicide. Some police departments even tried to make Ten Codes illegal to share publicly.