Don’t be startled by tomorrow’s emergency alert coming to a phone near you

The biannual testing of Canada’s Alert Ready system will hit airwaves and cell phones at 1:55 p.m. tomorrow, May 5.

The test is being done as part of an ongoing effort to improve the safety of Canadians in case of a real emergency, according to a news release from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Attorney General.

A text message will appear on alert-compatible phones as well as being broadcast on radio and TV. It will read:

"This is a TEST of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System, issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family. For further information go to www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. This is ONLY a TEST, no action is required."

The alert will not be heard if phones are turned off or set to airplane or do not disturb modes.

To find out if your phone is compatible, go here.

If you want to fill out a short online survey on how effective the alert was, go here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.