Emergency Communications for UK Households

Communication has two jobs

You need to receive trustworthy information and you need a way to coordinate with people nearby. Those are different jobs. Broadcast radio is useful for receiving updates. A phone is useful while networks are working. PMR446 handhelds can provide short-range local voice between members of a household or group.

Do not build the plan around one device. Electricity loss can take out your router, some modern landline setups and, in some places, local mobile coverage.

Paper is still part of the system

Write down 105, family phone numbers, a meeting point, medication information and useful radio frequencies. Government preparedness guidance specifically recommends keeping important numbers on paper where they can be found during a power cut.

Agree in advance what family members should do if messages are delayed. A simple meeting point and a named person outside the immediate area can remove a lot of uncertainty.

Know what UK Emergency Alerts can and cannot do

UK Emergency Alerts are free and do not require an app or sign-up. GOV.UK says compatible devices receive them via 4G and 5G mobile networks based on the area around the device. The phone does not need mobile data or Wi-Fi enabled.

A device that is off, on a 2G or 3G network, Wi-Fi only or incompatible will not receive an alert. That is another reason not to treat one phone as the entire warning system.

Use compliant PMR446 equipment

Ofcom describes PMR446 as a licence-exempt option for compliant handheld radios operating from 446.0 to 446.2 MHz, with maximum ERP of 0.5 watts. The important word is compliant. Do not assume every imported handheld advertised online is legal to use licence-free on PMR446 in the UK.

Range claims on packaging are usually best-case figures. Buildings, terrain and interference reduce range. Think of PMR446 as local coordination around a neighbourhood, property, campsite or group, not long-distance communications.

Practise before you need it

Put batteries in the radio, tune the broadcast stations you actually use and test the handhelds around your normal area. Decide on a channel for your group and keep the instructions with the radios. Equipment that has never been switched on is not yet part of a plan.

Useful kit for this plan

Gear should support the plan, not replace it. These are relevant items from the main catalogue. Check the current listing and specification before buying.

Sources checked for this guide

We use public sources for the factual backbone and write the guide in our own words. Source pages can change, so the links below are the place to check current official advice.

Editorial review date: 17 September 2026. If an official source conflicts with this page, follow the official source.