Friday, September 23, 2016

Powassan Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has had an increase in 9-1-1 calls. 9-1-1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.

Use of 9-1-1 only for emergencies

POWASSAN – The Powassan Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has had an increase in 9-1-1 calls. 9-1-1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.

A large percentage of the calls placed were of a non-emergent nature. These non-emergent calls consist of “Pocket Dials”, accidental dials and children playing with phones.

For non-emergent calls, the public can contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or 705-495-3878.

The Powassan OPP would like to remind everyone that 9-1-1 is for EMERGENCIES ONLY and offer some tips to avoid unnecessary calls:

Lock mobile phones or place them on “stand-by” by using the keypad lock feature. If your mobile has a 9-1-1 auto-dial feature, you may be able to disable it. Check the user manual to see if your phone has that ability;
Don’t program 9-1-1 into your speed dial. It only takes a second to dial 9-1-1;
Do not place your cell phone in a position where keys can accidentally dial. Use a case or holster to protect it when you put it away;
Do not let children play with a household phone or old cell phones. If a phone has a battery in it, even if it is out of minutes or does not have a contract or service, it can still dial 9-1-1.

Do NOT call 9-1-1 to: