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Original poster

Emergency alert, what happens if...

12 replies

IcouldbutIdontwantto · 23/04/2023 12:43

You're somewhere where you really need to be quiet? I don't mean a library or theatre or anything (though I can imagine lots of phones going off in the middle of a show would be very off putting), but say you're unfortunate enough to be involved in a terrorist attack/ there's a crazed gunmen on the loose and you've found somewhere to hide.... and then an emergency alert is sent to warn you, and the noise tips off the guy you're trying to hide from??

OP posts:
ClaraThePigeon · 23/04/2023 12:44

You switch your phone off?

Jonei · 23/04/2023 12:45

That would be unfortunate...

SlurpSlooChortle · 23/04/2023 12:45

Bloody hell, that's quite a specific "what if" OP. I'm quite confident that it won't be an issue.

stbrandonsboat · 23/04/2023 12:45

Put inside an egg box inside a pillowcase filled with foam then place at the back of a full wardrobe and leave the house, drive to the next county, visit a coffee shop and put some headphones on 😃👍

Singleandproud · 23/04/2023 12:46

It will be used based on geographic location so the people who authorise the Alerts won't set it off in those areas.

It's more for floods, reservoir breeches, fires, chemical spills etc to tell you to stay out of the way / close windows etc.

Mrsjayy · 23/04/2023 12:47

There is a lot if ifs and buts in your post ,it doesn't work when your phone is turned off . And I'm assuming if somebody was trying to kill people . Nobody is going to send alerts so you can hide as safely as you can . I mean your op sounds like a Die Hard film 😄

Needmorelego · 23/04/2023 12:48

A previous government campaign about terrorism that gave advice about what to do if you were hiding was to....."switch your phone off".

Darklane · 23/04/2023 12:50

You can turn the alert off in settings & keep your phone on.
go to settings, notifications, scroll to the bottom & there are 2 switches to turn them off

Qilin · 23/04/2023 12:51

IcouldbutIdontwantto · 23/04/2023 12:43

You're somewhere where you really need to be quiet? I don't mean a library or theatre or anything (though I can imagine lots of phones going off in the middle of a show would be very off putting), but say you're unfortunate enough to be involved in a terrorist attack/ there's a crazed gunmen on the loose and you've found somewhere to hide.... and then an emergency alert is sent to warn you, and the noise tips off the guy you're trying to hide from??

Previous advise regarding terrorism used to say to switch off your phone incase anyone messaged or called you, so I assume that advise y]would still be valid.

Original poster
IcouldbutIdontwantto · 23/04/2023 12:54

stbrandonsboat · 23/04/2023 12:45

Put inside an egg box inside a pillowcase filled with foam then place at the back of a full wardrobe and leave the house, drive to the next county, visit a coffee shop and put some headphones on 😃👍

I'll call this plan b... 🤣

Thanks all, it was genuine thought I had when I couldn't sleep last night. I sort of assumed it would be used to warn people of terror attacks in the area and the like, which is why I was wondering.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 23/04/2023 14:13

Also the alert won't go through if your phone is in aeroplane mode so that's another option

Qilin · 23/04/2023 14:17

The official information states that if your phone is turned off or in airplane mode you will not receive the alert.
It's very quick to put your phone in airplane mode,

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