There are more than 7,000 sirens across the country – and once a year, they’re checked.
There are two basic types of alert – the General Alert, which could mean anything, from rocket attack, earthquake or even a tsumani – yes, they’re possible on lakes.
There’s also another alarm specifically for those who live near dams – for obvious reasons.
The advice is, if you hear an alarm, then switch on the radio, or go to the government information portal ch.ch.
But if you’ve downloaded the Alertswiss app on your phone, that will also provide the information needed.
But if you hear it tomorrow between 1.30 and 2pm – you don’t need to do anything.
We’ll be ok as long as we are outside the house or have all the windows open when they go off.
Otherwise we can hear nothing from inside the house.
Or maybe that’s actually a blessing, I don’t fancy being cooped up in a shelter for an indeterminate amount of time.
That is definitely a blessing the other 364 days of the year! Gosh how I envy you! I can close the windows, let the shutters down and still be terrorized by the children rattling with their cheap plastic toy-vehicles in the patio!
Yes, I would rather have your silence for 10 years, then be bombed out by surprised. I’m not kidding.
Well you could check ch. ch, or
Look at your Alertsuisse app, or
Run to your well-provisioned bomb shelter, or
Put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.
TBH, several deaths during the floods last year in Graubunden/Ticino. Not sure if the alarm sounded or not, or if it was useful or not.
Then, that snowy day last November. Some people could say it’s just snow. The ones trapped for hours in road traffic may have another opinion. Was it alarm-worthy? Basically everyone has a phone and knew heavy snow was on the way, somehow…shit happened.
If they are luddites then perhaps a warning letter in the post?
To be honest, anyone who has a family, spouse, undertakes outdoor activities alone or with friends etc etc should have a phone to contact emergency services, provide location services, record accident details, and so on.
More than 5,000 sirens were checked across the country and 99% of them worked.
The Alertswiss app sent 12 million messages. Each canton got its own – and then there was one national alert.
The government also made sure everyone knew the tests were happening and used TV ads for the first time. The ads were highly praised for their originality.
You can see them on our website.
Together with the siren test, the government also urges people to make sure their emergency supplies are up to date and well stocked.
