Accidental Calling of Emergency Services

Raven Runner

I was out doing work today when I heard a voice coming from my pocket I immediately went to hang up and I thought i must have forgotten to put my phone on lock I went back to see who it was I rang and it was emergency services (even though the phone was on lock) I panicked and turned my phone off I realise now I should have just answered and said I rang by accident so as to rule out any scenario's and not waste their time but feel guilty about it now, apparently pocket dialing happens a lot has it ever happened to you? Sorry if I have posted in the wrong forum.

Mint Sauce

Wouldn't say its uncommon. I have activated the emergency dialer several times on my phone, thankfully without a call ever been made. I'd say if the call did go though, and they heard a voice on the other end, saying they called by accident, they would just tell you to hang up quick.

I know a few people, back in the day of the old button phones, where 9 was held down in their pocket/handbag, they actually got a call from the emergancy services to see if they were okay, where a call had connected.

Hammer89

Raven Runner wrote: »

I was out doing work today when I heard a voice coming from my pocket I immediately went to hang up and I thought i must have forgotten to put my phone on lock I went back to see who it was I rang and it was emergency services (even though the phone was on lock) I panicked and turned my phone off I realise now I should have just answered and said I rang by accident so as to rule out any scenario's and not waste their time but feel guilty about it now, apparently pocket dialing happens a lot has it ever happened to you? Sorry if I have posted in the wrong forum.

Mod note: moved to the calling 999 in your pocket forum.

Victor

I think I did pocket dial them once.

When 121 was used for message minders, something like 50% of 'emergency' calls were accidental.

Pocket dialing is much rarer these days, as smartphones need human touch to trigger them.

Emergency numbers will bypass some of the locks on a phone.

Stigura

I was round my mates, one night. Friday night in for the lads. Grub, beer and film or two Suddenly, he says " That's ye phone. " I'm pretty deaf and couldn't hear it in my pocket.

Bloody mortified when I answered it and some bloke asked if I'd rang the emergency services! I thought I'd get a talking too for messing them around.

zuutroy

I pressed the SOS button in my new (to me) BMW one day just to see what might happen and I got the emergency services. Apologised profusely and went on to embarrass myself further by not knowing how to end the call...'Sir, would you like me to terminate the call?'....Yes please

Your Face

That's a hefty fine and probably jail-time.

Senna

My first phone and only had it a few days, had just got on a train and put the phone down on the seat beside me as I sat down, next thing I heard this woman speaking. I was trying to apologise and explain that I must have press the buttons by accident, all she wanted was to get me off the phone as quick as possible.
Certainly a moment of shear panic when you realise what you've done.

Mint Sauce

Senna wrote: »

My first phone and only had it a few days, had just got on a train and put the phone down on the seat beside me as I sat down, next thing I heard this woman speaking. I was trying to apologise and explain that I must have press the buttons by accident, all she wanted was to get me off the phone as quick as possible.
Certainly a moment of shear panic when you realise what you've done.

Thats it, they just want you to get off the phone ASAP if you dont require them.

I always heard that you if do genuinely require them, you stay on the line till they tell you to hang up. the one time I have called the services, it was for the fire brigade, gave the dispatcher my details, where the fire was etc, was told they were sending a crew out. next thing I was speaking to someone else, was asked what my emergency was, told them just gave the fire brigade my details, and got 'get of the line then! Hang up! Hang up!!'