It will be only the second ever national test from the government
A mobile phone receives the nationwide public alert system test signal on April 23, 2023.(Image: Getty Images)
Less than two weeks from now, millions of smartphones will simultaneously light up in only the second ever event of its kind in British history.
The notification which will display on everyone’s screens will be an emergency alert message issued by the government.
The 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.”
Mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks across the country will vibrate and emit a loud siren-like sound for up to ten seconds.
This will be a national test as part of a new Resilience Action Plan to improve the way the government prepares for and responds to emergencies.
The action has previously been used to warn Brits of impending extreme weather.
The government are going to send out a test Emergency Alert in September (Image: PA)
It was last used during Storm Éowyn in January of this year, as well as during Storm Darragh in December 2024.
Approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert warning them to stay indoors to avoid 90mph winds.
Other previous activations have included when an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during localised flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
The test alert will be carried out on Sunday, September 7 at 3pm.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “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.”
While encouraged to keep alerts on, individuals can opt out of emergency alerts if needed, particularly for those in vulnerable situations like domestic abuse.