WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A recent update designed to make it easier to call for help with an Android smartphone may also make it easy to accidentally dial 911.
The update triggers a 911 call by repeatedly pressing the side button, or power key, on the phone. Officers say this can happen either intentionally or accidentally, such as by someone hitting the button as they are playing a game on the phone.
The call could also be triggered if the button gets accidentally pressed in a pocket or backpack.
The feature, called “Emergency SOS,” is located under the safety and emergency menu and can be turned off by the user. Officers are encouraging everyone to familiarize themselves with their phone’s emergency call settings and use the features that best suit their phone usage habits.
Anyone who accidentally dials 911 is asked to stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher that the call was unintentional.
Deactivated phones can also be used to make emergency calls. Meaning parents who have given an old phone to younger children to play with should go through the settings to make sure they can’t accidentally make a call to 911.
Officers handled nearly 100 accidental dials between 6 AM and 4 PM on Saturday, June 3rd.
