911 Is Not a Toy: A Lesson from Guelph

A quiet Sunday in Guelph, Ontario, turned into a marathon for emergency dispatchers after a child got a hold of an old cellphone. The result? 129 calls to 911 in a single evening.

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The Situation

Between 4:40 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., police received a relentless stream of calls. Dispatchers could hear a child playing in the background, but no one responded to their queries. Because the phone was an old model without an active service plan, police had a difficult time pinpointing the exact location, leading to a neighborhood search to ensure no one was actually in danger.

The “Hidden” Tech Reality

Many people assume an old phone is “dead” once the SIM card is pulled or the plan is canceled. It’s not.

• Universal Access: By law, all mobile phones must be able to connect to 911, regardless of service status.
• Emergency Overrides: Even “locked” screens have an emergency call button that is very easy for a toddler to tap.

How to Prevent “Phantom” Emergencies

If you’re going to let a child play with an old device, police recommend:

• Airplane Mode: Keep it on, though some phones still allow emergency calls in this mode.
• Kill the Power: Only let them play with it if the battery is completely drained or removed.
• The “Stay on the Line” Rule: If a call happens, do not hang up. Simply explain to the operator that it was a mistake so they don’t have to dispatch officers to your door.