The government is trialling a new emergency alert system across the country, and all compatible smartphones will receive a test alert on Sunday April 23rd at 3pm.
The alert will consist of a message accompanied by a siren sound and a vibration, which will automatically stop after ten seconds. Recipients need only swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ to dismiss it.
The aim of the system is to warn the public about potentially life-threatening situations, such as flooding and wildfires.
The message contained in the alert will read: “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.”
Recipients are advised to follow the instructions contained within the message if a real emergency does occur.
Victims of domestic abuse have been advised to switch off any mobile phones they wish to keep hidden ahead of the test. There are concerns that the alert could give away the location of any secret devices they may have. However, the government has stated that recipients will not receive alerts on any device that is turned off or in airplane mode. It is also possible to disable the alert permanently via your phone’s settings.
The emergency alert system is designed to be used in the event of a serious threat to public safety. It is hoped that it will provide a reliable means of warning the public about emergencies, such as severe weather events or terrorist attacks. The trial will help to identify any issues with the system and to ensure that it is effective in practice. The government has stated that the alert is only a test and that recipients do not need to take any action in response.
The alert system is part of the UK government’s wider efforts to improve public safety and to provide better emergency services. Other measures include increased investment in the police and fire services, as well as the creation of a new National Infrastructure Resilience Strategy. The government is committed to ensuring that the UK is well-prepared to respond to any emergency and that the public can be alerted quickly and efficiently in the event of a serious threat to their safety.
The emergency alert system has been welcomed by many as a positive step toward improving public safety. However, there have been concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable individuals, such as those with hearing impairments or those who do not speak English.
The government has stated that it is working to ensure that the system is accessible to all and that appropriate measures are in place to support those who may need additional assistance.
Turn off emergency alerts on an iPhone
You can easily turn the emergency alerts system off in your phone’s settings.
Go to the settings menu and press through to notifications. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and you will see an emergency alerts section, with Extreme Alerts and Severe Alerts.
You can toggle between on and off using the button on the right-hand side.
Turn off emergency alerts on an Android device
Find the settings menu and select the notifications option. From there, press advanced settings and head toward the bottom of the screen.
There you will see wireless emergency alerts. Click on it and it will open up an emergency alerts section, where you can opt-in and out of Extreme Alerts and Severe Alerts.
