THE GOVERNMENT has announced the launch of a new emergency alerts system with the capability of sending warnings directly to mobile phone users when their life may be in danger.
There will be a trial of the alerts system on April 23 following successful testing in East Suffolk and Reading.
The test will inform people it is a new UK Government service warning of a life-threatening emergency nearby, confirming it is a test so no action needs to be taken but adding, in an actual emergency, instructions should be followed to keep everybody safe.
What are the alerts?
The alerts can only come directly from the Government or emergency services and are designed to notify the public about threats, including severe flooding, fires or extreme weather.
Upon delivery of an emergency alert, mobile phones may vibrate, read the alert aloud and make a siren-like sound, even if it is set to silent.
The sounds and vibrations will last about 10 seconds.
The warnings work based on people’s current location and will provide a phone number or a link to the Government website for more information.
The service has already been used successfully in several other countries, including America, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been credited with saving lives.
By broadcasting from cell towers near an emergency, the alerts are secure, free to receive, and one-way.
They do not reveal anyone’s location or collect personal data.
Phone users need to acknowledge receipt before they can use any other features.
What to do if you receive an alert?
Those receiving alerts should stop what they are doing and follow the instructions on their device.
Those driving or riding need to find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
If there is no-one in the vehicle to read the alert for them and it is unsafe to stop, they should tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until a safe and legal place to stop can be found.
People should never read or respond to an emergency alert whilst operating a vehicle.
There will be audio emergency alerts for the blind or partially-sighted and vibration signals for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Who receives the alerts?
Owners of smartphones with 4G or 5G capability in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – some 90 per cent in any area – receive the alerts during an emergency in their location.
Phones switched off or in airplane mode will not receive alerts.
Can alerts be disabled?
The alerts can be turned off on smartphones but the government has recommended against this as, it says, they can be potentially life-saving.
Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
Domestic abuse victims can switch off the alert system
Domestic abuse victims who have a concealed phone hidden from their abuser can switch off the government’s new emergency alert system.
Concerns have been raised that those who have secret phones hidden from their abusers could be put at increased risk should the alert go off.
iPhone owners should search settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts and Emergency alerts.
If this does not work, users should contact their device manufacturer.
Android phone and tablet users should search settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts and Emergency alerts.
On Huawei devices running EMUI 11 or older, people should search their settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘Extreme threats’, ‘Severe threats’ and ‘Show amber alerts’.
If this does not work, people can contact their device manufacturer
Visit gov.uk/alerts/opt-out for more information.
