The Government has confirmed the next date that mobile phones will ring out to test the emergency alert system.
The system was first tested in April 2023 and found some problems with specific networks, as some mobile phones did not sound.
The system has already been used in several scenarios, including storms, flooding and in one case when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered.
The emergency alert is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, in instances like extreme weather.
What does the alert look and sound like? 🚨
— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) March 19, 2023
Emergency Alerts will appear on the home screen of your device and you will hear a loud siren-like sound and feel a vibration for up to 10 seconds.
Watch the video below 📽️👇 pic.twitter.com/U0ZvNr31yt
When will the next emergency alert test take place?
The next emergency alert system will be tested at around 3pm on September 7, in its second-ever nationwide drill.
During the test, the UK’s approximately 87 million mobile devices will ring out with a high-pitched alarm and vibrate for approximately 10 seconds, while a message will appear on the screen, making it clear the alert is only a test.
Ahead of the national test, ministers are spearheading a public awareness campaign to ensure people understand when it is taking place.
It will also aim to draw attention of the test to vulnerable groups like those facing domestic abuse, who may have secret mobile phones which they want to remain hidden from their partners.
People who find themselves in this situation are being told to consult details about opting out from alerts on gov.uk, the Government website.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is the Cabinet Office minister who has taken charge of efforts to boost national resilience against crises.
Speaking as the Government announced the test is to take place, he said: “Emergency alerts have the potential to save lives, allowing us to share essential information rapidly in emergency situations, including extreme storms.
“Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.”
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Some five alerts have been issued since the system was first created.
These included when 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh in December 2024, which went on to kill two people.
Localised flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire, and the discovery of a Second World War bomb in Plymouth in February 2024, also triggered the alert for nearby residents.
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