On September 7, the UK will conduct a test of its Emergency Alerts system, sending out a loud message to mobile phones and tablets nationwide. The test alert is expected to last for about 10 seconds and is designed for future use during emergency situations, such as severe weather events.
While these alerts are crucial, it’s important to recognize that they may pose risks to vulnerable individuals, including survivors of abuse who may possess concealed phones. Women’s Aid, a domestic violence charity, recently provided guidance on how survivors can opt out of receiving these emergency alerts by adjusting their phone settings.
The new emergency alert system in the UK will deliver a loud siren, message, and vibration to all compatible phones, even if they are on silent mode. This could potentially endanger survivors of abuse who have hidden phones that are discovered.
The steps to opt out of these alerts may vary slightly based on the phone model, but in general, users can select specific settings to prevent receiving them. Although the upcoming September 7 alert is just a test, it serves as a reminder to UK citizens about potential future dangers like wildfires, severe flooding, and extreme storms that may require warnings from government and emergency services.
The government does not require access to personal phone numbers or locations to send out these alerts. Each alert contains a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for additional information. Alerts are based on the current location of the device and do not require location services to be turned on to receive them.
While no action is necessary during the upcoming alert, future alerts may provide instructions on necessary steps to take. The government advises not to read or respond to emergency alerts while driving and to find a safe place to stop before checking the message. If no safe location is available, listening to live radio for updates is recommended to stay informed about the emergency.
Emergency alerts are not a substitute for local news, radio broadcasts, television updates, or social media announcements. Even if a device is not compatible with receiving alerts, individuals will still be informed in case of life-threatening situations.
Most emergency alerts in the UK will be in English, with Welsh language alerts possible in Wales. For individuals with vision or hearing impairments, audio and vibration signals will notify them of emergency alerts if accessibility notifications are enabled on their device.
For more details on the UK’s emergency alerts, visit the GOV.UK website.