Every phone in UK will be pinged with ‘emergency alert' that triggers loud siren for 10 seconds this year
EVERY phone in the UK will be pinged with an 'emergency alert' that triggers a loud siren for 10 seconds this year.
It's just a test run, so there's nothing to worry about.
1
Millions of phones will blare with the sound of a 10-second siren this year as part of a drill to prepare the UK for potential danger.
The alert aims to test the Governments' emergency alert system which first launched in 2023 and is used to alert Brits of nearby emergencies.
The 2023 alert said: 'Severe Alert. 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.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.'
The jolting alarm shocked some Brits, with one noting: 'The emergency alert system just scared the f*** out of me.'
A second added: 'That alert was a bit loud.'
While another joked: 'It was so dalek like.'
The announcement about this year's test alert comes as the government stressed the importance of Brits being prepared for any emergency – weather, war, and more.
It also comes after the world has been watching the Middle East amid fears of a wider conflict igniting after tensions in Iran.
New Emergency Alerts system will inform people who are in immediate danger by sending alerts direct to mobile phones
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby.
After this year's alert (the exact date will be announced in the future), the system will be tested once every two years.
Earlier this year, the European Union went as far as warning the nearly 450,000,000 people who live within its borders to stockpile emergency supplies to last 72 hours in case of war or natural disaster.
The advice, issued to nearly half a billion people across 27 countries, includes telling people to buy bottled water, energy bars, a torch, and waterproof pouches for IDs.
And EU households could get a handbook to help them prepare for 'various crises, from potential conflict to climate disasters, pandemics and cyber threats' reports The Metro.
The EU's announcement came after France decided to issue 20-page survival manuals.
With measures on how the French can protect themselves from armed conflict, natural disasters, industrial accidents and nuclear leaks.
Back in 2923, the Goverment's first test alert failed to sound on some phones in nationwide test – here's why.
There's also been a lot of speculation and misinformation about what the message does and how it does it.
Experts from Full Fact have debunked some of the biggest falsehoods about it.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: 'This system is not designed to cause panic, but to ensure people are aware of imminent threats and can act quickly.
"This test is part of building national resilience and saving lives in future crises.'
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