Children making accidental 911 calls with old cellphones

Washington State Emergency 911 officials are warning the public that letting children use old, unused cellphones can lead to unintentional calls to 911 that slow down the system.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Wednesday, March 11, 2015 6:26pm
  • News
Children across the state are making accidental calls to 911 with old cellphones. State officials want parents to help put an end to the calls.

Children across the state are making accidental calls to 911 with old cellphones. State officials want parents to help put an end to the calls.

Washington State Enhanced 911 officials are warning the public that letting children use old, unused cellphones can lead to unintentional calls to 911 that slow down the system.

According to E911, one in three calls to 911 is accidental.

When children are given old cellphones, it is easy for them to accidentally call 911. Most people do not know that a cell phone call still call 911 – even if the phone has no service. All it needs is a charged battery and a cell signal.

When a call to 911 is made accidentally by a child, call receivers at 911 centers must take the time to interview the child or call the number back during a hang-up to ensure that the call is not, in fact, intentional. These false calls can disrupt the 911 system and delay other calls to 911 that are real emergencies.

What can you do to reduce false calls?

• Keep cellphones “locked”

• Remove the phone’s battery when storing it

• Do not allow children to play with cellphones

Last year there were more than 6 million calls to 911 in Washington state. An additional 2 million calls were made to state non-emergency reporting numbers.

For more on E911, go to http://mil.wa.gov/e911.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent Police Detective Ford retires after 29 years with department

Helped solve 44-year-old cold case murder in 2024

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation