Your phone may vibrate and make a loud siren sound when the government launches a new Emergency Alerts service this year.
The new service is expected to start in early 2022 after a trial last summer as part of a UK-wide test.
Many countries already have emergency alert systems in place, with warning sirens and mobile phone alerts tested on the first Monday of every month in the Netherlands.
READ MORE: Highway Code rule means drivers can be fined £100 while on the motorway
In an emergency, mobile phone masts in surrounding areas in the UK will broadcast an alert to phones and tablets, warning people if there's a danger to life nearby.
Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert, Wales Online reports.
The emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK. The alerts don't cause, and are not affected by, busy phone networks.
Unfortunately, phones and tablets connected to 2G or 3G networks won't receive emergency alerts, but that doesn't mean you'll be completely in the dark in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
How emergency alerts work
Your phone must be turned on and must not be on airplane mode to receive the alerts, which will work even if your device is on silent.
Emergency services and the UK government don't need your phone number to send alerts
You will get alerts based on your current location, not where you live or work.
The Emergency Alerts service is free and requires no registration or downloads.
No one will collect or share data about you, your device or your location when you receive an alert, according to the government.
You can opt out of some emergency alerts, but the government urges you to keep them switched on for your own safety.
Emergency services have other ways to warn you when lives are in danger, and the emergency alerts won't replace local news, radio, television or social media.
What happens when you get an emergency alert?
For about 10 seconds, your phone or tablet may:
- Make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
- Vibrate
- Read out the alert
The government advises you to stop what you're doing and follow the instructions in the alert.
Sometimes an alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.
If you want to see an alert again, you can find current alerts and past alerts at gov.uk/alerts.
There were a number of test alerts throughout 2021.
Reasons you might get an alert
You may get alerts about:
- Severe flooding
- Fires
- Explosions
- Public health emergencies
Only emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies will send emergency alerts to your device.
