When the government Emergency Alerts system could actually be used

Earlier this afternoon (7 September), phones across the UK blared with a siren sound as the government’s Emergency Alert system was tested.

Some of you might have opted to switch it off beforehand, simply not have had it come through, or even seemed to have it go off twice.

And if it did catch you off guard, it’s important to remember it was just a test – there isn’t some serious risk nationally right now. But that kind of is the whole point of this system: to warn people across the UK and give advice in the case of a potentially life-threatening emergency.

There are several reasons that might cause an alert, with the government not needing to know your location or phone number to send it to you.

Today's 'severe alert' was a test (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Primarily, the national system is intended for setting out emergency alerts in situations where there is an imminent danger to life.

So, it could therefore be used in situations like wildfires, severe flooding, extreme storms or during a terror attack.

The government says that since it did its first national test of the Emergency Alerts system back in April 2023, the system has sent out five real alerts during major storms when lives were genuinely at risk.

It adds that doing these regular tests ensures that the system continues to work properly and can reach as many people as possible in those times when it’s needed most.

Some of you might have been a bit p**sed off by what should have been a minor inconvenience of 10 seconds or so of a siren going off earlier, but let’s be honest, it’s a relatively useful tool to have nationally.

Although there are some people who won’t have received it, as not all devices get it through.

The alert may be used in situations of severe weather (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

It’s likely that older phones or devices not connected to 4G or 5G networks won’t be compatible with the system.

In case you did somehow miss it, the Emergency Alerts system essentially sends out a message with that siren-like sound and vibration lasting roughly 10 seconds.

Pat McFadden, the new Work and Pensions secretary, said: “It is a vital tool for keeping the nation safe when lives are on the line – and every minute matters."

The government adds: “The Emergency Alerts system represents an important tool for keeping communities safe, and this test helps ensure it will be ready when we need it most.

"While the brief interruption on Sunday afternoon might be inconvenient, it's a small price to pay for a system that could one day help save lives.”