Calling 9-1-1 is only for emergencies, not complaining about overripe avocados.
British Columbia's E-Comm, which handles approximately two million 9-1-1 calls each year, has released its annual top 10 unusual calls that are never reasons to call 9-1-1.
Whether looking for a 24/7 pharmacy, dissatisfied with dry cleaning or offended by a neighbour鈥檚 cologne, general questions, consumer complaints and lifestyle grievances do not belong on 9-1-1, E Comm noted in a release, sent to raise awareness of the importance of keeping 9-1-1 lines for emergencies only.
鈥淲e understand that some of these situations might feel urgent to the individual in the moment, but 9-1-1 is not the appropriate number to call if your power goes out or you require tech support,鈥� says E-Comm police call taker Laura, in the release. 鈥淲e must treat every call as an emergency until we know otherwise and each second we spend responding to a call that does not belong on 9-1-1 is time we could be getting help to someone in a life-threatening emergency.鈥�
The Top 10 list of calls that did NOT belong on 9-1-1 in 2024 include:
鈥� Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne
鈥� The dry cleaners stained their shirt
鈥� McDonald's wouldn鈥檛 open their doors
鈥� They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart
鈥� Complaining the power was out
鈥� Requesting technical support
鈥� The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten
鈥� They left their phone in an Uber
鈥� Requesting help removing a wasp nest
鈥� There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park
E-Comm is asking everyone to do their part by helping keep 9-1-1 lines free for in-progress crimes or emergencies that require immediate help from police, fire or ambulance only.
鈥淢ost people do use 9-1-1 responsibly, and we absolutely want the public to call for help when they need it in an emergency,鈥� said police call taker Kuzivakwashe. 鈥淏y directing your non-urgent calls to the appropriate resources such as your local police non-emergency line, you are helping to ensure our call takers are available for real emergency situations.鈥�
Tips on proper use of 9-1-1 include:
鈥� 9鈥�1鈥�1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required: someone鈥檚 health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress
鈥� Know your location at all times
鈥� Don鈥檛 program 9鈥�1鈥�1 into any phone
鈥� If you call 9鈥�1鈥�1 accidentally, stay on the line and let them know
鈥� Lock and store your cellphone carefully to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls
鈥� Do not text or tweet 9-1-1
