The government’s new emergency alerts system will be tested on phones across the UK on Sunday 23 April.<br /><br />While the alerts are designed to warn of a danger to life nearby, they could also create a risk to people experiencing domestic abuse, who for their safety have a secret or secondary mobile phone.<br /><br />Alerts will play a sound even if the phone is on silent and the device will not be useable until the notification is acknowledged.<br /><br />Due to the potential risks, domestic violence charity Refuge has shared a video with instructions on how to turn off the emergency alerts on both Androids and iPhones.<br /><br />The national domestic abuse helpline can offer support on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Women’s Aid website. For those in the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
