Emergency alerts and staying informed

Prepare

• Find out how your country sends emergency alerts to phones.^[1]
• Keep a battery, solar, wind-up or car radio so you can follow news in a power cut.^[2]
• Note your local emergency radio frequencies on your paper contact list.^[3]
• Sign up for official weather and flood warnings where they are offered.^[1]
• Charge phones and power banks when a storm or disruption is forecast.^[2]
• Keep your phone software up to date.^[2]

Use and maintain

• Stop what you are doing when an alert sounds and follow its instructions.^[1]
• If driving, pull over somewhere safe and legal before reading an alert.^[1]
• Follow updates from local authorities on radio, TV and official websites.^[4]
• Confirm serious news with official government sources before acting.^[5]
• Be wary of posts that provoke strong emotions, and share only trusted information.^[5]
• Check facts against more than one source.^[5]

If a UAE emergency alert sounds

At home or at work

• Stop what you are doing and stay calm.^[7]
• Move away from windows, glass, balconies, rooftops and outer walls.^[7]
• Shelter in an interior room, hallway, basement, ground floor or under a concrete staircase, using stairs not lifts.^[7]
• Stay inside until officials announce the all-clear.^[7]

In a mall or enclosed building

• Move to interior areas away from glass.^[7]
• Follow the instructions of the building's safety staff.^[7]
• Use the stairs, not the lifts.^[7]

Outdoors

• Stay calm and avoid crowding or rushing.^[7]
• Go into the nearest safe building and follow its shelter procedures.^[7]
• Keep away from poles, billboards and glass.^[7]
• If there is no shelter, lie flat and cover your head, and your nose and mouth if there is dust or smoke.^[7]

Driving

• Slow down and stay alert.^[7]
• Shelter in a nearby building if you can, and do not stop in open or crowded areas.^[7]
• If there is no shelter, stay in the car with windows shut and the engine off.^[7]
• Do not share unverified photos or videos.^[7]

After the alert

• Check on your family and your surroundings.^[7]
• Stay away from suspicious objects or unusual smells and report them straight away.^[7]
• Follow official updates and return to normal activities gradually.^[7]
• Do not click unknown links or share personal details, and check messages are official before acting on them.^[7]

Review and restock

• Keep listening to official channels until authorities say the danger has passed.^[4]
• Recharge devices and replace radio batteries once power returns.^[2]
• Check on neighbours and relatives and pass on official information.^[2]
• Sign up for any local weather, flood or air quality alerts you were missing.^[1]