Testing of UK's new Emergency Alerts system on, 23 April 2023 at 15:00
There will be a national test of the UK’s new Emergency Alerts system on Sunday, April 23 at 15:00.
The new Emergency Alerts service will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone if their lives are at risk in an emergency.
It will be used to send a direct message only where there is a risk to life, either locally or nationally. This could include public health emergencies, severe floods, fires and industrial incidents.
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 don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.
Test alert
The test alert will be sent to most mobile phones across the UK on Sunday, 23 April 2023 at 15:00.
Devices will make a distinct, siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds, including on phones switched to silent mode. Phones will also vibrate and display a message about the test.
For an example of what the test will look and sound like, see a quick video here: https://www.gov.uk/alerts.
The aim is to alert you to the test and reassure you that no action needs to be taken.
If you are driving
You must not hold a mobile phone while driving or riding a motorcycle. It is illegal to do so. If you receive an alert while driving, do not pick up your phone and attempt to deal with the message. Continue driving as normal, staying in full control of your vehicle. If you feel the need to look at your phone, you must find a safe and legal place to pull over first.
What to do if you receive an alert
If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. You’ll be able to check an alert is genuine at https://www.gov.uk/alerts
If you receive an alert, read the alert carefully and follow the instructions.
Opting out
You can opt out of receiving emergency alerts; for more information on how to opt out, please go to https://www.gov.uk/alerts
More information
To find out more about Emergency Alerts, visit https://www.gov.uk/alerts