There is provided a device for alerting a user of an occurrence of an event. The device comprises a memory configured to store alert data and a media stream having a beginning and an end, the alert data designating a plurality of points for the media stream, the plurality of points including a start point and an end point after the start point, wherein at least one of the start point and the end point is different from the beginning and the end of the media stream. The device further comprises a processor configured to detect the occurrence of the event; retrieve the alert data from the memory in response to the occurrence of the event; begin playback of the media stream from the start point; and stop playback of the media stream at the end point.