Decrease accidental 9-1-1 calls

Turn off the autodial feature or lock the keypad on your wireless phone

August 7, 2000

ST. PAUL, MN - Did you know that if your wireless phone keypad is accidentally bumped or if a certain key is pressed on the keypad it could begin to dial 9-1-1 emergency response? Depending on your wireless provider, your phone may be pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 by pressing only one button. If you leave your phone on and the keypad gets bumped or pressed, it may place an unintentional call to 9-1-1.

Unlike your phone at home and work, most wireless phones currently do not provide the caller's location and phone number to 9-1-1 operators like landline phones do. Emergency operators have to determine the location and nature of the call by talking with the caller. If there is no one on the phone, such as when an unintentional call is made, the dispatcher has to take extra time trying to understand the nature and location of the call and that takes time away from "real" 9-1-1 calls that may require a fast response.

Help keep the 9-1-1 phones lines open for real emergencies.
Read your owners manual or contact your wireless provider to find out how to lock your keypad or turn off the autodial feature. Or, turn off your phone when it is not in use. If your phone does not have a keypad lock feature, it's important to be aware of how your wireless phone is carried, whether in purses, bags or on your belt.

For more information on safely using your wireless phone, visit the Minnesota Wireless Foundation Web site.

About the MTA
The Minnesota Telecom Alliance is a non-profit, professional association organized in 1909 to represent the interests of Minnesota's local, long-distance, and wireless telephone companies and the companies that supply equipment and services to the telecommunications industry. More information about MTA can be found on the Internet at http://www.mnta.org.