The new UK government’s Emergency Alerts system will be tested nationally, this coming Sunday on 23^rd April at 3pm.

The Emergency Alerts system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. It will be used to warn you in emergencies such as severe flooding.

An Emergency Alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on your mobile phone screen. Listen to the sound here.

Reasons you might get an alert:

• severe flooding
• fires
• extreme weather

Emergency alerts will only be sent by:

• the emergency services
• government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies

What happens when you get an emergency 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.

Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones when there’s a danger to your life, health or property in the area you’re located. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you receive an alert, you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds and a message will appear on the screen until you acknowledge it.

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.

It is illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding.

To find out more, visit gov.uk/alerts