That loud emergency alert on your phone can be unsettling, especially when it arrives without warning. But when an official alert is issued, your first priority should always be safety — not filming, driving around or sharing unverified information online.
The UAE authorities regularly issue emergency notifications and safety instructions to protect residents and visitors during potentially dangerous situations. Understanding what these alerts mean, where to seek shelter and which emergency numbers to call can help you respond quickly when it matters most. Here’s everything you need to know about UAE emergency alerts, shelter instructions, emergency numbers and responsible behaviour during a crisis.
Follow Official Alerts, Not Social Media Rumours
When an emergency notification arrives on your phone, avoid relying on social media posts or messages circulating in group chats for instructions.
Follow information issued through official UAE government channels, including the Ministry of Interior and relevant local authorities. Authorities have also warned residents against leaving their homes or stopping on roads simply to record emergency notifications or events for social media.
An emergency alert is a safety instruction, not an opportunity to create content.
If authorities instruct residents to remain indoors or move to a designated safe location, follow those instructions until an official update or all-clear notification is issued.
Read More: UAE’s Day Without Accidents Initiative: How To Get Four Points Removed From Your Licence
What Should You Do When an Emergency Alert Sounds?
Your response will depend on the instructions contained in the alert, but there are a few basic rules residents should keep in mind.
1. Read the alert carefully
Don’t immediately dismiss the notification. Read the message and check whether authorities have provided specific instructions for your location.
2. Follow shelter instructions
If authorities instruct residents to take shelter or remain indoors, do so immediately. Stay inside until an official all-clear message or further instructions are issued.
3. Stay away from windows
If the emergency involves an external threat, move away from windows and exposed areas and follow official shelter guidance.
4. Don’t spread unverified information
Avoid forwarding rumours, screenshots or unconfirmed claims about an emergency. Incorrect information can cause unnecessary panic and make it harder for people to follow genuine instructions.
5. Keep emergency communication channels clear
Don’t call emergency services simply to ask questions about an alert or report something that isn’t an emergency. Emergency operators need to remain available for people who genuinely require immediate assistance.
What Should Drivers Do During an Emergency Alert?
Drivers need to take particular care when an emergency notification is received while they are on the road. If authorities instruct motorists not to stop on highways or leave their vehicles, do not pull over simply to record the alert or surrounding situation.
Instead, follow the official traffic and safety instructions and proceed safely to an appropriate secure location when instructed. Most importantly, don’t make sudden manoeuvres, stop in dangerous locations or abandon your vehicle in a way that could put you or other road users at risk.
Can You Be Fined for Ignoring Emergency Instructions?
Emergency instructions issued by authorities should be taken seriously. Depending on the circumstances, violating official safety instructions or misusing emergency services can result in legal consequences.
Residents should therefore avoid behaviour that could interfere with emergency operations, obstruct authorities or put themselves and others at risk.
Rather than focusing on potential penalties, the priority should be straightforward: follow official instructions and cooperate with authorities during an emergency.
Don’t Misuse UAE Emergency Numbers
The UAE’s emergency numbers are designed for situations where immediate assistance is required.
Calling emergency services unnecessarily, making prank calls or deliberately tying up emergency lines can interfere with responses to genuine incidents.
If you are facing a genuine emergency, provide the operator with clear information about:
- Your location
- The nature of the emergency
- The number of people involved
- Any immediate danger
- Any other information requested by the operator
If you are unsure which service you need, explain the situation to the emergency operator and follow their instructions.
UAE Emergency Numbers You Should Save
Keep these numbers saved on your phone so you don’t have to search for them during a crisis:
| Emergency Service | Number |
| Police | 999 |
| Ambulance | 998 |
| Fire Department / Civil Defence | 997 |
| Coastguard | 996 |
| Find and Rescue | 995 |
| Electricity Emergency | 991 |
These numbers are particularly useful to know if you’re new to the UAE, travelling around the country or hosting visitors.
What Not to Do During an Emergency
When an emergency occurs, seemingly small actions can create additional risks. Residents and visitors should avoid:
- Stopping on highways or other unsafe roads to film an incident
- Leaving a safe location without official instructions
- Recording sensitive emergency or security activity
- Sharing unverified information on social media
- Spreading rumours or misleading claims
- Blocking roads or access routes needed by emergency services
- Calling emergency numbers for non-emergency enquiries
- Ignoring official evacuation or shelter instructions
If you see other people filming or sharing unverified information, don’t contribute to the situation. Follow the instructions issued by the authorities instead.
Keep Your Emergency Contacts Ready
It’s worth preparing before an emergency happens. Save the key emergency numbers on your phone and make sure family members know where to find them. Parents should also explain basic emergency procedures to children, including staying with a trusted adult and following instructions from authorities.
If you live in a building, it can also be useful to know your building’s emergency exits and designated assembly or shelter areas.
Where to Get Reliable UAE Emergency Updates
During a crisis, information can spread extremely quickly. However, not everything circulating online is accurate. For safety instructions, rely on official government and emergency authorities rather than forwarded messages or social media speculation.
The UAE Ministry of Interior, local police authorities and other relevant government entities may issue updates depending on the nature and location of an incident. When an official alert is received, read it carefully, follow the instructions and wait for further official guidance.
Stay Calm, Stay Informed and Follow Instructions
An emergency alert can be alarming, but knowing what to do can make a significant difference. Don’t panic, don’t film and don’t spread rumours. Read the official alert, follow shelter or evacuation instructions, keep away from dangerous areas and use emergency numbers only when you genuinely need assistance.
For residents and visitors in the UAE, saving the emergency numbers now takes only a few seconds — and could prove invaluable when you need them most.
Stay safe, follow official guidance and keep your emergency contacts within easy reach.
Pro Tip: Save the emergency numbers on your phone now and make sure family members know where to find them. If you live in a building, learn where the emergency exits and assembly or shelter areas are.
FAQs
What are the emergency numbers in the UAE?
Police is 999, ambulance is 998, and fire and civil defence is 997. Coastguard is 996, find and rescue is 995, and electricity emergencies are 991.
What should I do when I get an emergency alert on my phone?
Read the alert carefully and follow its instructions. If told to shelter or stay indoors, do so until an official all-clear is issued.
Should drivers stop when an emergency alert sounds?
Don’t pull over on a highway to record the alert. Follow official traffic instructions and move safely to a secure location when instructed.
What should I tell the emergency operator?
Give your location, the nature of the emergency, the number of people involved and any immediate danger. Then follow the operator’s instructions.
Can you face penalties for ignoring emergency instructions in the UAE?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, violating official safety instructions or misusing emergency services can lead to legal consequences.
