Warning over risks from emergency alert sound test
The Welsh Government is advising the public ahead of a national emergency alert test on Sunday 7 September, with specific guidance for those who may keep a hidden mobile phone for safety reasons.
On that date, a test emergency alert will be sent to all mobile phones across the UK. The alert will produce a loud sound and vibration on all compatible devices, even if they are set to silent, unless emergency alerts have been disabled beforehand.
This may present a safety risk to individuals experiencing domestic abuse who keep a hidden phone for emergency use. If such a device sounds unexpectedly, it could reveal its presence.
Officials have stressed that real emergency alerts will not come with advance public warning like this test, so decisions need to be made now about disabling alerts on hidden devices.
Emergency alerts can be turned off by searching for ’emergency alerts’ in most iPhone and Android settings and disabling ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’. On some devices, these settings may appear under different names such as ‘wireless emergency alerts’ or ’emergency broadcasts’.
Common settings paths include:
Messages → Message Settings → Wireless Emergency Alerts → Alerts
Settings → Sounds → Advanced → Emergency Broadcasts
Settings → General Settings → Emergency Alerts
In all cases, users are advised to disable ‘severe alerts’, ‘extreme alerts’, and ‘test alerts’ on hidden phones.
Support is available for anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
The Live Fear Free helpline offers free, confidential advice and can be contacted on 0808 80 10 800. Further information, including access to local services, is available on the Live Fear Free website.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “We want everyone in Wales to be safe and informed. While emergency alerts are designed to protect us all, we understand they may cause concern for those in vulnerable situations who have a second, hidden, phone for their safety.
“By sharing this guidance in advance, we hope to help individuals make informed decisions, while maintaining access to potentially life-saving alerts during real emergencies on their primary phones.
“I also encourage anyone in an unsafe household to seek support. The Live Fear Free helpline provides confidential help and advice to anyone looking for a safer future.”
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