If the UK is affected by war or a national emergency

How you would be told

• Emergency Alerts is a UK government system that gives warnings and advice in a life-threatening emergency. Your phone or tablet may make a loud, siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, even on silent, vibrate or read the alert out. Alerts are based on where you are now, not where you live. They work on 4G and 5G networks, are free, and you do not need to sign up. Phones that are off, on 2G or 3G, or Wi-Fi only will not get them.
• If you are driving, do not read an alert. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop first, or listen to live radio.
• Alerts are sent only by the emergency services and government bodies that deal with emergencies. They will never email you or ask for personal details. You can check whether an alert is genuine on GOV.UK.
• Emergency Alerts do not replace local news, radio, TV or social media.

Follow official instructions

Be Ready’s advice is simple: in an emergency, dial 999 and follow the advice of the emergency services. Responders can see the bigger picture. If you are not already at the scene of an incident, do not go closer: it can put you in danger and get in the way of the emergency services. If you want to help, look out for calls for support from community groups, your council or national organisations.

Staying put or moving

Depending on the situation, people may be asked to “Go in, Stay in and Tune in” to local or national radio, or to check official sources online. Be Ready says that unless there is an obvious risk to a building, going inside and seeking more information is often the safest thing to do. Always be guided by what you can see: it is never safe to go back into a building that is on fire.

In some situations you may be asked to evacuate. Be Ready says it is important not to delay. Delaying or refusing can put your life at risk, and put responders in danger if they have to come back for you.

Be Ready suggests keeping a few essentials in a bag in case you have to leave quickly, knowing how to turn off gas, electricity and water, and agreeing a meeting point with family in case you cannot get home or reach each other.

The Civil Contingencies Act, in plain words

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 is the main UK law on emergencies. It has two parts.

Part 1: who plans for emergencies

Local “Category 1” responders (the emergency services, local authorities and NHS bodies) must assess risks, make emergency plans, and have arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in an emergency. “Category 2” organisations, such as transport and utility companies, must cooperate and share information. They work together in Local Resilience Forums, based on police areas.

Part 2: emergency regulations

Part 2 allows the government to make temporary emergency regulations for the most serious emergencies, where existing law is not enough. The government describes this as a last resort, with safeguards:

• An emergency must have occurred, be occurring or be about to occur. The Act defines an emergency as a serious threat to human welfare or the environment, or war or terrorism threatening serious damage to the UK’s security.
• The regulations must be necessary, urgent, appropriate and proportionate. The government calls these conditions the “triple lock”.
• They lapse after 7 days unless both Houses of Parliament approve them, and lapse at the latest 30 days after they are made. Parliament can amend or reject them.
• The Act lists things emergency regulations cannot do.

This is a summary, not legal advice. The full text is on legislation.gov.uk.

Cash, documents and contact plans

• Keep some cash in a mix of coins and notes, as well as cards, in case electronic payments or cash machines are disrupted. Be Ready says the amount depends on your household’s needs. See cash and documents.
• Keep printed copies of important documents, such as passports, birth certificates and insurance details, with your household plan.
• Write important phone numbers on paper, including anyone you would check on and a list of regular medication and doses.
• Agree a meeting point and a backup plan for when phones do not work. See comms when phones are down.

Dependants

• Check your child’s school or childcare has your correct contact numbers. Be Ready says schools should have plans for different emergencies.
• Agree a backup plan with anyone who needs extra support, especially if they live alone: if you cannot call, you or someone they trust will visit. Remind them to follow the emergency services’ advice if asked to evacuate.
• Be Ready has advice for disabled people and carers. See also caring for dependants.
• For medicines, request repeat prescriptions in good time. Be Ready says up to 5 working days before you need them. Your pharmacist or GP can advise on your own medicines.

Mental health

News of a national emergency can be frightening, especially for children. It is normal to feel anxious. Be Ready’s guidance on coping after a major incident includes sharing how you feel with someone you are comfortable with, asking for practical and emotional support, doing something you enjoy, and returning to everyday routines where you can. If feelings last beyond 2 to 4 weeks, it suggests speaking to your GP or referring yourself to NHS Talking Therapies.

NHS Every Mind Matters has free advice on stress, anxiety and sleep. If you need urgent help for your mental health, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Samaritans are available day and night on 116 123. If someone is in danger, call 999.