Every mobile phone in the UK will sound a loud emergency alert at exactly 3pm on Sunday, September 7. The nationwide test will see all handsets connected to 4G or 5G networks emit a piercing siren for up to 10 seconds simultaneously.
The drill represents the first trial of the Emergency Alerts system since 2023. Mobile phones will also buzz as a text message appears, clearly stating the alert is merely a test run.
Previous emergency activations
The warning system has been deployed five times previously for real emergencies. Ministers sent alerts to residents during Storm Eowyn in January, targeting people in Scotland and Northern Ireland with localised messages about extreme weather conditions.
According to reports, 3.5 million people received alerts in December 2024 after Storm Darragh battered Wales and the South West. The system was also used to warn locals when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth last year.
Government preparedness message
The complete wording of the trial message reads: "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."
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: "On Sunday September 7, we will hold a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system to ensure it works when we need it most. It is a vital tool for keeping the nation safe when lives are on the line - and every minute matters."
System designed for major disasters
The notification network is designed for deployment during the most probable crises to hit Britain, including floods and fires. McFadden added: "During Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, as millions faced dangerous extreme weather, I saw first-hand how effective it was at getting life-saving advice to at-risk communities in an instant. We do not use the system often, but like the fire alarm in your home, it is always on standby should we need to act."
Sources used: "Mirror", "Express", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
