Emergency Alert Test information - easy read

The government is testing an emergency alert service in April.

The emergency alerts will be sent to all mobile phones and tablets.

The test alert messages will be sent on Sunday April 23 at 3pm.

The message 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 do not need to do anything because this message is just a test.

What are emergency alerts?

Emergency alerts warn you if there is danger near where you are.

The emergency alert will be sent to your mobile phone or tablet.

It will give you advice about how to stay safe.

The emergency alerts will send warnings about things like:

• Bad flooding

• Fires

• Weather that can be dangerous for some people

When you get an emergency alert your mobile phone or tablet might:

• make a loud noise, even if it is set to silent

• vibrate

• read out the alert

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

You can see what the emergency alert looks and sounds like in this video.

You can learn more about the emergency alerts on the government's website.

Turning the emergency alerts off

You can choose to not have the emergency alert messages come up on your phone or tablet. To turn them off you need to find Emergency Alerts in your phone or tablet settings. Then turn off the severe alerts and extreme alerts. If your phone is switched off or set to aeroplane mode you will not get the emergency alert message.