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5 minute read
Everything you need to know about the government emergency alerts
Aimee Cavener, digital content manager
At 3 pm on Sunday, 7th September, the government are testing emergency alerts. A message will appear on the home screen of your mobile phone.
What happens when you get an emergency alert?
Your phone or tablet may:
- Make a loud, siren like sound, even if it's set to silent
- Vibrate
- Read out the alert
- When the test happens, your phone will vibrate and sound for up to 10 seconds
The government are testing the system to make sure it's working correctly. It's not intended to alert you to real danger, and you won't need to take any further action.
The vibration and sound will alert you even if your phone is silent. This raises concerns for those that are vulnerable and subject to domestic abuse. You can opt out of the national test, especially if you have a second or concealed phone. You can turn off Emergency Alerts in your phone settings or switch off your phone.
The system will be used rarely, only sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives. It is possible that people may not receive an alert for months or years.
How do I turn off these alerts?
The team at Refuge have put together a video showing how to turn off these alerts on both an Apple and Android phone.
Still worried?
If you're still worried about these new alerts, please do not hesitate to contact us.