This weekend, a startling siren will blare from millions of phones across the United Kingdom—but don't be alarmed. It's a crucial test of the government's new nationwide emergency broadcast system.
The highly anticipated test is scheduled for Sunday, April 23rd, at precisely 3:00 PM. For ten seconds, compatible smartphones will emit a loud, piercing alarm sound and vibrate, even if set to silent mode. A message will appear on-screen explaining the purpose of the test.
What Is The Emergency Alert System?
Modelled on similar schemes in the US, Canada, and Japan, the system is designed to warn the public about life-threatening events nearby. This could include severe flooding, wildfires, extreme weather, or terrorist incidents. The alerts are geographically targeted, meaning you will only receive them if you are in an area under immediate threat.
How To Opt-Out Of The Emergency Test
While the government encourages everyone to receive the test to familiarise themselves with the sound, you can opt-out. Here's how:
- For iPhone users: Go to Settings > Notifications. Scroll to the very bottom and toggle off 'Emergency Alerts'.
- For Android users: Go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency alerts. You can toggle off 'Extreme threats' and 'Severe threats'.
It is vital to remember that opting out means you will not receive potentially life-saving warnings during a real future emergency.
Important Warnings For Domestic Abuse Victims
Charities have issued urgent advice for individuals with hidden phones, particularly victims of domestic abuse. A hidden, secondary phone could be discovered because of the alarm. The government advises turning these devices off completely before the test time to maintain safety and secrecy.
The government assures that the system is secure, and no personal data, such as location or phone number, is collected during the process.
