Also means
to warn
Usage Note
alerter means to put someone on alert or warn them of danger; alerter les autorités (to alert the authorities) is a typical collocation. The related noun alerte (f) is used for alarms: donner l'alerte (to sound the alarm). En état d'alerte means 'on alert'.
Examples
"Il faut alerter les secours immédiatement."
Natural Translation
The emergency services must be alerted immediately.
Literal Translation
We must alert the rescue services immediately.

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