Nearly 4,000 accidental 911 calls have been placed to Franklin’s emergency dispatch center this year, prompting police to ask residents to check the emergency call settings on their phones and smartwatches.
Police said every accidental call takes time and resources because dispatchers must treat it as a real emergency. If a caller hangs up or cannot be reached when dispatch calls back, officers may be sent to the location to make sure no one is in danger.
According to the Franklin Police Department, many of the calls are linked to Emergency SOS features that can be triggered unintentionally while a phone or smartwatch is in a pocket, purse or other enclosed space.
To help reduce accidental calls, police recommend reviewing Emergency SOS settings, locking devices before storing them and adjusting features that allow emergency calls to be made by repeatedly pressing side buttons.
Anyone who accidentally dials 911 should remain on the line or answer if dispatch calls back so responders know there is no emergency.
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