Residents in Penrith and across the UK are being reminded that at 3pm tomorrow (Sunday 7th September) the government will carry out its second nationwide test of the UK Emergency Alerts system.
At 3pm, millions of mobile phones connected to 4G and 5G networks will emit a loud siren sound and vibrate for around 10 seconds. A message will also appear on screen confirming that the alert is only a test. The alert will sound even if a device is on silent.
The government says the system is designed to warn people about life-threatening emergencies such as wildfires, flooding and extreme storms along with other local and national threats to the country. It was first tested in April 2023 and has since been used several times for real incidents, including during Storm Eowyn earlier this year, Storm Darragh in December 2024, when an unexploded Second World War bomb was uncovered in Plymouth and locally around 15,000 people in parts of Cumbria received a localised emergency alert via the system in May due to flooding.
Not all devices will receive the alert. Older handsets, phones not connected to 4G or 5G, or those switched off or in aeroplane mode will not sound. The message will be sent based on a user’s current location, not their home or work address. Mobile data, Wi-Fi or location services do not need to be switched on, and the Government does not collect phone numbers or personal information to send alerts.
The alert message will read:
“This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.
Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg."
Phone users will need to acknowledge the message by swiping or tapping before they can continue using their device. Drivers are advised not to check their phone until they have pulled over safely.
The government has said the 10-second alert length has been chosen to “balance the need for comprehensive testing with reducing inconvenience to the public”.
The Emergency Alerts system is part of a wider Resilience Action Plan to strengthen the UK’s preparedness for crises. Pat McFadden, then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said when announcing the plan in June:
“Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives.”
For practical advice on preparing for emergencies, visit gov.uk/prepare.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
