National Emergency Alert: Exact time warning alarm to sound from all mobiles today

National emergency alert

UKGOV

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The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 23/04/2023

- 14:10

Updated: 24/04/2023

- 08:26

The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

A national emergency alarm is set to sound on most smartphones across the UK today.

The alert will make it clear that it is a test of a new UK Government service.


Mobile phones that have 4G or 5G will receive the message.

The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

National emergency alaert

PA

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Drivers should ignore their phone and wait for the alert to end during the test today

The alarm will make a noise even if mobile phones are on silent.

The trial is to see if the alert system works in case it needs to be used as a disaster warning in future.

Some scenarios the alarm could be used are life-threatening weather, floods and fires in the UK.

The alert could also be used in future in the case of a terror attack.

The Government believes this will be a vital tool to help improve emergency response.

The test alarm will take place at 15:00 BST today.

The message will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

"In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

National emergency alert

PA

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The Government believes the alert will be a vital tool to help improve emergency response.

"Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

"This is a test. You do not need to take any action."

The Government has advised people to continue using their phones as normal after dismissing the alert as it is just a test.

Their advice states: "For the test, the public does not need to take any action - the sound and vibration will stop automatically after ten seconds.

"All people need to do is swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen - just like for a ‘low battery’ warning or notification - and continue to use their phone as normal."