Accidental 9-1-1 calls happen more often than you might think. Whether it’s a toddler playing with your phone, an unintended pocket dial, or a technical glitch, these calls can easily occur. While it’s understandable to feel embarrassed or worried, the best thing you can do is not hang up. Staying on the line and explaining the situation is crucial for ensuring that emergency services can focus on real emergencies.
Why It’s Important Not to Hang Up
When you hang up after an accidental call, the 9-1-1 call taker is obligated to call you back to ensure there isn’t an emergency. If they can’t reach you, they might dispatch emergency services to your location to make sure everything is okay. This can divert valuable resources from real emergencies and cause unnecessary stress for everyone involved.
Common Scenarios and What to Do
- Pocket Dial
Scenario: Your phone dials 9-1-1 while in your pocket.
What to Do: Stay on the line and explain that it was an accidental dial. The call taker will appreciate your honesty and can quickly clear the call.
- Toddler Call
Scenario: Your child accidentally calls 9-1-1 while playing with your phone.
What to Do: Don’t hang up. Stay on the line and explain that your child made the call by mistake. This helps ensure that no further action is necessary.
- Misdial
Scenario: You accidentally press the emergency call button or dial 9-1-1 by mistake.
What to Do: Remain on the line and inform the call taker that it was a misdial. They will confirm that everything is okay and end the call.
- Technical Glitch
Scenario: You put your phone in a car drink holder. The side buttons are held down, and it calls 9-1-1.Â
What to Do: Again, stay on the line and let the call taker know it was an accidental call due to a technical issue.
- Crash Detection
Scenario: You press hard on your breaks. This alerts your phone that you could’ve been in a possible crash, even if you weren’t.Â
What to do: Stay on the line and let the call taker know your phone automatically called for you.
***NOTE: Crash detection can be turned on and off in your phone’s settings. For Apple, this feature is available only on iPhone 14 and later and on Apple Watches. For Android, the feature is available on some phones. Check your settings to see if it’s on.Â
What Happens When You Stay on the Line
When you stay on the line, the 9-1-1 call taker can quickly ascertain that there is no emergency. This allows them to document the accidental call and move on to assist those in actual need. Your cooperation helps keep emergency services available for true emergencies and ensures the efficiency of the system.
Accidental 9-1-1 calls are a common occurrence, but they don’t have to lead to confusion or wasted resources. Remember, if you ever call 9-1-1 by mistake, don’t hang up. Stay on the line and explain the situation to the call taker. Your cooperation helps maintain the effectiveness of emergency services and ensures help is available when it’s truly needed.
For more information on 9-1-1 services and safety tips, explore our other resources and stay informed. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe!