Staying Safe: Managing Emergency Alerts for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
- Jon Salmon
- Sep 3
- 1 min read
The UK Emergency Alerts system is designed to keep the public safe by sending urgent warnings to mobile phones.
However, for people experiencing domestic abuse, these alerts may pose a risk. Even when a device is on silent, the alert produces a loud siren and message that could reveal the presence of a hidden phone.
The next nationwide test is scheduled for Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 3pm. Taking action in advance can prevent unintended exposure.
To protect personal safety, survivors are advised to disable emergency alerts on secondary or concealed devices:
iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Turn off “Severe Alerts” and “Extreme Alerts”
Android: Search “Emergency Alerts” in settings → Turn off “Severe Alerts” and “Extreme Alerts”
Further information can be found on the Refuge website here.
If you are a women experiencing domestic abuse, Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free, confidential and contact 24/7 on 0808 2000 247.
If you are a man affected by domestic abuse, the ManKind Initiative has a confidential helpline 0808 800 1170 (Monday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm) and Respect on 0808 801 0327 (Monday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm).
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