2021-Jun-17
Pocket Dials and Unintentional 9-1-1 Calls
Unintentional calls to 9-1-1 happen when a mobile device carried in a pocket, purse, backpack, or other piece of clothing accidently activates the keypad which initiates an emergency call. Also, many accidental calls occur when young children are playing with cell phones.
Bracebridge OPP officers responded to almost 400 pocket dials and unintentional 9-1-1 calls during the first three weeks of July 2019 alone. Between September 9th and 22nd 2019 the Southern Georgian Bay detachment OPP responded to 94 false calls to the 9-1-1 system. In 2018 Southern Georgian Bay OPP responded to 1,358 false 911 calls.
This is a serious problem because it ties up police resources and can take away from real emergencies where precious seconds may be taken away from someone who really needs help.
For every unintentional call received an emergency communicator at one of the OPP response centres must determine whether a real emergency exists and if emergency response resources should be dispatched.
What Should You Do?
If you do place an unintentional 9-1-1 call stay on the line to let them know its not an emergency. Every call is taken very seriously and no response from the caller could be a sign of dire trouble. This often results in officers being dispatched to try and locate the caller to ensure there is no emergency and takes up even more time dedicated to the call.
To prevent pocket dials:
- Use the keypad lock feature on your phone
- Turn off the 9-1-1 autodial feature if your phone has it.
- Do not preprogram 9-1-1 into your phone.
- Ensure the auto-call feature is turned off for smartwatches that are synced to a mobile phone.
For real 9-1-1 emergencies it is important to be able to communicate your location accurately and the what3words app is an ideal way to do this. Check out our article here.