False 9-1-1 Calls A Pain In the Apple, Or Blackberry
Sunday, April 29, 2012 @ 5:47 AM
Prince George, B.C. – The number of false and abandoned 9-1-1 calls in Prince George has skyrocketed and much of the blame goes to cell phone users.
The last five years in Canada show a 50% increase in wireless subscribers in our country, going from about 16 million in 2006 to 24 million in 2011. With increased subscribers, comes increased false or abandoned calls to 9-1-1.
In 2010 the Prince George RCMP received 753 such calls. In 2011, that number increased to 1216, a 61.5 % increase. The Prince George RCMP believe that a large portion of this increase can be attributed to the increase in ‘smart phone’ usage in our community. These more advanced phones have a built in Emergency button that allow everyone to call 9-1-1 with the push of two buttons, even when the phone is password protected. In many cases these safety buttons are ‘accidently’ pushed from inside a users pocket. This is known as Pocket Dialing 9-1-1.
Here are some tips to help prevent unnecessary 9-1-1 calls:
· With the updating to new phones, comes the disposal of old phones. All cell phones are capable of calling 9-1-1, even those phones without SIM cards or a Service Provider contract. Remove (and recycle) batteries from old cell phones before giving them to children;
· While we understand the need for easy access to call for help when needed, please use keyboard locks to prevent your phone from calling 9-1-1;
· Keep your phone in a case or holster;
· Ensure SIM cards are securely installed. Cards that are not properly installed are only able to call 9-1-1;
· If you’ve placed a pocket 9-1-1 call, don’t panic and stay on the line. If you find yourself disconnected, please answer the subsequent follow-up call.
Comments
Another wonderful gift from technology.
metalman.
With these so called smart phones can you not disable the emergency button?If not they should have that feature built in.It doesn’t take much time to dial 911 send.
I contributed three or four of those false 911 calls. It is so embarassing.
there are too many children playing with cell phones and this is the reason!
Simple solution, turn the freaking thing off! If you must have it on get some kind of a mount/belt clip so that the screen won’t be touched, putting it in your pocket is a bad idea. I guess they could start charging people for false calls if you are a repeat offender. Kid’s should not have cell phones period!
Old people probably shouldn’t have computers either
weaksauce: “Old people probably shouldn’t have computers either”
You are so right. Those consarned infernal devices really cut productivity.
metalman.
How did I ever live without a cell phone, I lived better…My job site was way safer without them…new hires cant focus without their 3 second meltdown…life happens within moments with these kids, I cannot get them to do simple tasks. I have resorted to having thier cels taken away for 8 hrs….then I cannot get a lick of work out of them….like wtf…
Fire them! Cell phone/ headset use on the job is a safety hazard.
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