This Wednesday afternoon, at 2:20 pm (ET), an alarm will sound on all cell phones, televisions and radios in the nation. There is no reason to worry, since it does not mean that you are in danger, but rather it is a test being carried out by the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) with the intention of guaranteeing that these devices are "an effective means of warning the public." This was announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a statement :

As FEMA explained, both agencies will send the following message: "This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed," between 2:20 pm and 2:50 pm (ET).

What do the tests consist of?

The alert will arrive in English or Spanish (depending on how you have your device configured) and will be accompanied by a unique tone and vibration with the intention that the entire population will be aware of the alert, including people with disabilities. Of course, FEMA reported, to receive the alert the device must be turned on , within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless service providers participate in the tests.

Cell phones will not be the only ones to receive the alert, the notice will also reach all televisions and radios in the nation as part of a broader alert. The message, which will last about a minute, will say: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 hours p.m. (ET). This is only a test. No action is required by the public."