On Sunday 23 April 2023, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service.
This is due to take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April.
The UK government’s new 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 the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding.
Emergency Alerts are sent to all 4G or 5G compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. 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.
Alert systems such as this are already successfully used across the world and save lives.
What will it sound like?
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 gov.uk/alerts.
The video clip on YouTube shows how this will work.
Can I opt out?
The domestic abuse charity, Refuge, has produced a short video that explains how anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or needs to for another reason, can opt out of emergency alerts and the Government's test of the service on Sunday 23 April 2023.