MARKHAM - 9-1-1 dispatchers across the GTA, Ontario, and Canada have to deal with adults who are sometimes literally talking from their ass, but they also want parents to be aware that letting your kids play with a cell phone may tie up dispatchers with an unintentional phone call.

The “Lock It Before You Pocket It” is a public awareness campaign to remind people to lock their mobile devices before placing them in backpacks, purses, or pockets to avoid an accidental 9-1-1 call being placed from an active keypad. Similarly, children who have access to these devices can call (and some have called) 9-1-1, not realizing that the person on the other end is 'for emergency purposes only'.

“Cell phones and smart phones are enticing toys for kids,” said Inspector Paulo Da Silva of York Regional Police. “If the battery is inside and the phone is charged, pushing the buttons will complete the call, whether it’s intentional or not. These calls are completely avoidable.”

Even an old, inactive cell phone can still dial 9-1-1.

In 2011, York Regional Police received 97,886 unintentional calls to 9-1-1 from wireless devices, which accounted for 37% of all 9-1-1 calls received. For every one of those calls, an emergency telecommunicator had to determine whether an emergency existed, taking valuable time away from someone who may have really needed help.
 
If you or your child places an unintentional 9-1-1 call, DO NOT HANG UP. Stay on the line to explain what happened. When hang-ups occur, a dispatcher must phone that number back to verify if there is an emergency, again taking time away from legitimate emergencies.

York Regional Police have released the audio from an unintentional 9-1-1 call placed by a child, and again they remind parents and caregivers to keep cell phones and mobile devices from young children.

TOP PHOTO: Even older, inactive phones like these are capable of dialing 9-1-1