Most people received the blaring alert at 19:00 BST on Friday – and it came as a surprise given the government had not told people it was coming, as it has done for tests of the system.
The notification, which cautioned against the use of disposable barbecues, naked flames or fireworks, was the biggest use yet of the emergency alert system and Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the public to take it “seriously”.
A Cabinet Office press release, posted to their website at about 18:45 on Friday, was missed by many in the media, which meant there was little warning to the public.
This potentially jeopardised domestic abuse victims trying to hide secret phones they use to seek support and try to escape abusers, some campaigners have said.
Women’s Aid, the national charity aiming to end domestic abuse, is calling for more forewarning of alerts wherever possible.
Veronica Oakeshott, the charity’s head of external affairs, told News: “Survivors of domestic abuse frequently turn to second phones to help them access lifesaving support or flee from abuse.”
It is vital the devices stay hidden, she said, before adding: “We would urge the government to forewarn the public that alerts might be issued, when possible.”
It has been reported that senior government figures were discussing whether or not to send the alert hours before, on Friday morning.
The alert came after a spate of wildfires including one that destroyed 19 homes in Stourbridge, West Midlands, on Thursday.