What is a Pocket Dial?

 

A pocket dial is when numbers are inadvertently pressed on your cell phone.  Across Ontario thousands of pocket dials are made every day to 9-1-1 Call Centres. In 2011, York Regional Police Communications 9-1-1 Call Centre responded to 97,886 accidental pocket dials, averaging 268 dials per day and 37.33 per cent of the total 9-1-1 call volume.

 

Every 9−1−1 call is taken seriously. When a 9−1−1 caller doesn’t respond, that could be a sign of trouble – a possibility emergency responders can’t ignore. If this happens to you and you find that you have called 9−1−1 accidentally, please do not hang up. Let the emergency operator know it was a pocket dial. This will eliminate the need for the emergency operator to call you back to determine if there is a legitimate emergency, saving precious seconds and allowing them to move on to the next emergency call.

 

Tips:

Members of the public are urged to remember that each cell phone is different. Take a moment to understand how an unnecessary 9−1−1 call can be avoided on your device. It could be as simple as locking your keypad or putting your device in standby mode. Both of these options should not affect your ability to receive a phone call but may significantly reduce the chance of a pocket dial. To further reduce the pocket dial risk, please do not program 9−1−1 into your phone and refrain from allowing small children to play with the device.