19/04/2023
Dear Providers,
Please find below a reminder of the Emergency Alert Check taking place on Sunday 23rd April, and what people should do if they need to switch off alerts for their own safety. Please share this information with families.
Dear all,
Please be aware that on Sunday 23rd April, the Government will be issuing a mobile phone emergency alert check. This means any mobiles which are on will be activated and sound an alarm.
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse who has a hidden phone for safety emergency reasons may be affected and perpetrators could be alerted to the presence of the secret phone if they are near the victim/secret phone when the alert goes off.
If anyone has a secret mobile phone hidden from an abusive partner, they need to be advised to switch it off or put in airplane mode otherwise every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to get alerts.
The alert will say: “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 an actual 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.”
You can opt out of emergency alerts, but the government advises you should keep them switched on for your own safety.
To opt out:
Search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’.
Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
If you still get alerts, contact your device manufacturer for help.
More information can be found on the government website: About Emergency Alerts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Your mobile phone or tablet may get an emergency alert if there’s a danger to life nearby. Alerts tell you what to do to stay safe.