'Keep your cool' during emergency alert test, government says
The UK government plans to test its emergency alert system on mobile phones on Sunday. Phones will make a siren-like noise and display a test message to ensure the system works in real emergencies like extreme weather or terror attacks. People with hidden phones are advised to turn them off during the test to avoid risks.
Key Facts:
- The emergency alert test in the UK will occur at 15:00 BST on Sunday.
- Phones will vibrate and make a siren noise for 10 seconds, even on silent mode.
- The test aims to check if the alert system is reliable in actual emergencies like extreme weather or terror incidents.
- This is the second nationwide test; the first test happened in 2023 and had some issues.
- Around 4.5 million phones received alerts during Storm Eowyn in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Some organizations, like domestic abuse charities, warn about risks to hidden phone users.
- The government advises people on how to opt-out if needed, though they encourage keeping alerts on.