.png)
What is an Emergency Alert?
Emergency alerts is a UK Government service that will warn you if there is a danger to life emergency near by. During an emergency your phone, tablet or other device with a Sim card will receive an alert with advice on how to remain as safe as possible. The government website reassures us that there is no need to provide the government with your phone number or location in order for them to send you an alert.
When will the test happen?
Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm
England, Northern Ireland and Scotland - view on the Gov website here
The alert will say:
This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.
Those of you living in Wales will receive the following:
Prawf o wasanaeth Rhybuddion Argyfwng Llywodraeth y DU yw hwn. Bydd yn eich rhybuddio os oes argyfwng gerllaw sy'n peryglu bywyd. Mewn argyfwng go iawn, dilynwch y cyfarwyddiadau yn y rhybudd i'ch cadw chi ac eraill yn ddiogel. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts i wybod mwy. Prawf yw hwn. Does dim angen i chi wneud dim. This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.
What are the reasons we might receive an alert?
There seem to be a few reasons for why we might receive one of these alerts.
Alerts could be for:
- Severe Flooding
- Fires
- Extreme Weather
Alerts will only be sent to you by the emergency services & government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
What will happen when we get an alert?
Your mobile phone or tablet may:
make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
vibrate
read out the alert
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.
You’ll get alerts based on your current location - not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.
What will we need to do?
When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions in the alert.
If you’re driving or riding when you get an alert
Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding.
Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency.
It’s illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding.