The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is now live. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone if their lives are at risk in an emergency. The service will be used to warn you about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding.
An Emergency Alert looks and sounds very different to other types of messages such as SMS ‘text messages’. You’ll know if you get an Emergency Alert because you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound and your phone will use a distinct vibration. A message will appear on your screen until you acknowledge it. You can opt out of receiving the alerts. To ensure the Emergency Alerts system works effectively, the government may occasionally carry out a test of the service. A test is currently scheduled for Sunday 23 April 2023.
You can find out more about this alert system on the Warwickshire Police website. The article includes a list of frequently asked questions.