Emergency Alerts test Sunday 23rd April

10 Downing Street

The UK Government is testing a new Emergency Alerts service on Sunday 23rd April 2023. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range will receive an alert. The government does not need your phone number to send you an alert, emergency alerts are broadcast from mobile phone masts.

The alert will say:

This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you about a life-threatening emergency nearby.

In an actual 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 do I need to do if i get an alert?

When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions within the alert.

If you’re driving or riding when you get an alert

  • You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.
  • If you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message.
  • Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.

What happens when you get an emergency alert?

When an emergency alert sounds, 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.

The alerts are based on your current location and not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.

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