Warnings: how you are alerted in a crisis
Updated · 6 min read
New here? Start with our overview of home readiness: what to have ready, and why.
When there is serious danger, the authorities warn the population. If you know the signals in advance, you know what to do the moment it counts. This guide gathers how warning works in Denmark.
In short: If you hear the warning sirens, go indoors and seek information from DR or TV 2, where you'll find the emergency message.[1] Only call 1-1-2 if you are in acute danger.[1]
The sirens
It is the National Police (Rigspolitiet) who activate the physical warning sirens.[1] The sirens are used when the authorities need to warn the population quickly that there is danger.
What to do when you hear the sirens
The rule is simple: go indoors and seek information from DR or TV 2.[1] You should only call 1-1-2 if you are in acute danger and need help from the emergency services.[1] The sirens themselves don't give any guidance, and when the danger has passed, they sound again to let you know.[3]
The sirens don't mean you should call to find out what happened. Keep the lines free, and instead find information from DR or TV 2.[1]
The emergency message
The emergency message contains information about the incident and what you should do. You can find the emergency message on DR's and TV 2's platforms and on politi.dk.[1]
Warnings on your phone
The authorities can also warn directly on your phone. On the first Wednesday in May at 12:00, the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the National Police test S!RENEN and the physical warning sirens.[2] S!RENEN is sent to newer smartphones. It works automatically on iPhone (iPhone 8 and newer with iOS 16.4 or later) and on Android (version 11 or later).[2] If you get a warning from S!RENEN, the advice is to STOP, READ and REACT according to the information on your screen.[3]
Fact sheets about the sirens and S!RENEN are available in many languages, including English, German, French, Arabic, Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian.[3] New to Denmark? Read our guide to emergency preparedness for internationals.
- Know the sound of the warning sirens
- Make sure your phone can receive S!RENEN
- Keep an FM radio in case the mobile network fails
- Do you know where to find DR and TV 2?
If the network fails
If the mobile network and internet are down, you still need to keep up. The authorities recommend a battery, hand-crank or solar-powered FM radio, so you can receive information if other channels fail.[4]
Be ready to keep up
See the authorities' checklist for your household, so you can keep up when it counts.
If you want to prepare the rest of the home, read on here: Emergency supply list: what to keep at home
Frequently asked questions
Who sets off the sirens?
It is the National Police (Rigspolitiet) who activate the physical warning sirens. The sirens are used when there is danger and the population needs to be alerted.
What should I do when I hear the sirens?
Go indoors and seek information from DR or TV 2. Only call 1-1-2 if you are in acute danger and need help from the emergency services.
Where do I find the emergency message?
The emergency message (beredskabsmeddelelse) tells you what has happened and what to do. You will find it on DR's and TV 2's platforms and on politi.dk.
When are the sirens tested?
On the first Wednesday in May at 12:00, the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the National Police test S!RENEN and the physical warning sirens.
Sources
- [1]Beredskabsstyrelsen: Det skal du gøre, når du hører sirenerne
- [2]Beredskabsstyrelsen: Den årlige test af varslingskanalerne
- [3]Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen): Public warnings in case of emergencies
- [4]Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed (samsik.dk): Sådan forbereder du dig