10 emergency siren alert questions answered - including if you can switch it off

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An emergency alert will be trialled across the UK this month - and you may have a lot of questions about the new system.The Government issued siren will pop up across smartphones on April 23, which provides alerts in cases of extreme weather like severe flooding, fires and other serious threats.As it is still in the testing stages, there are a lot of questions surrounding the UK emergency alert - and authorities have answered the most pressing queries.People may be wondering what to do once they receive the alert, what it looks like and whether they can opt out of it all together.These and other questions, including what to do if you don't have a smartphone, have been addressed by officials.

Read on to learn more about the emergency alert system.An emergency alert is a free service being launched by the UK Government that will warn you about serious nearby threats to life through your mobile phone or device.Emergency alerts will appear on your device's home screen and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds.You must acknowledge it before you can use other features.

The notification may include phone numbers or website links containing further information.A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.When you receive the welcome message you do not need to take any action.The siren will stop automatically after ten seconds.

A welcome message will stay on screen until you acknowledge it, like a "low battery" warning.Emergency alerts will be used to inform people about severe threats to life in particular areas, such as flooding or wildfires.They're a free government service.When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing (when safe to do so) and