Revealed: All the times Emergency Alerts have gone WRONG - and how to turn them off on your phone once and for all

Millions of Brits were left terrified after an Emergency Alert blasted out on their phones on Friday, sounding alarms across England and Wales. The siren warned people against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks. Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public to take the warning seriously. However, many Brits described the alert as causing ‘needless panic,’ with some receiving it multiple times. Over the past few years, there have been numerous instances where emergency alert systems malfunctioned. One of the most infamous cases occurred in Hawaii in January 2018, when an emergency management agency employee accidentally triggered an alert claiming a ballistic missile was inbound. The message read: “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” Drivers on the H–3 highway abandoned their cars, fleeing to tunnels and shelters. Residents and tourists feared a nuclear attack, leading to widespread fear. The mistake happened during an internal drill coinciding with a shift change at 8:07 am. It took 12 minutes for the agency to correct the error via social media, but another alert confirming the false alarm wasn’t issued until 38 minutes later. Experts noted that the system lacked a template for retracting alerts, requiring manual input. Vern Miyagi, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator, apologized for the disruption and emotional distress caused. In January 2025, another serious error occurred in Los Angeles County during wildfires. An evacuation alert meant solely for the West Hills area was mistakenly sent to nearly 9.6 million residents across the entire county. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted on X shortly after the alert was issued, explaining that it was a technical error and should have targeted the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills. She promised a correction would follow soon. Many residents expressed anger and frustration, with some commenting publicly that the supervisor’s actions could lead to loss of life. One user wrote: “Your failures will be remembered in history textbooks. Resign. This is going to get people killed.” Emergency alerts can cause unnecessary fear and confusion, especially when they are incorrect or overly broad. In response to growing concerns, both iPhone and Android users can disable these alerts through their device settings. On iPhones, go to Settings, select Notifications, scroll to the bottom, and turn off ‘Severe Alerts’ and ‘Extreme Alerts.’ For Android users, search for ‘Emergency Alerts’ in the settings and disable the same options. These steps allow individuals to control whether they receive such notifications. The repeated errors highlight the need for improved protocols and clearer communication channels within emergency management systems. While the intent behind these alerts is to protect lives, their misuse can lead to public distrust and anxiety. Authorities must ensure that alerts are accurate, timely, and properly targeted. Public education on how to manage these alerts is also crucial, particularly as more people rely on smartphones for real-time information. As the UK continues to face environmental challenges, including increased risk of wildfires, the accuracy of emergency communications becomes ever more vital. The recent incident has prompted discussions among officials about reviewing current alert procedures and enhancing transparency. With millions of people affected by similar mistakes in the past, the focus remains on preventing future missteps while ensuring the public remains informed and prepared.