I hope you will never have to use this information, but you should know it. As they say “better safe than sorry.”
If you are in danger, but you are unable to speak, you can still communicate.
You need to know about a special protocol called ‘Silent Call Solutions’. When you call 911 for the emergency services, they ask you to choose the service. If you don’t answer, you will be asked to cough or make other noise to warn that you need the police.
If you can’t make any noise, you will be transferred to the “silent solution” system. In this case you should use the digits on your keyboard. Press 55 if you need the police.
But you need to be very careful. If they don’t get any response, your call will be ended. The police won’t come if you don’t do these actions.
The system has the limits. Kerry Power, a primary school worker from Plymouth, was killed by his ex-boyfriend on December 14, 2013. She called 911 but said nothing. She believed that the police would be dispatched in any case, but regrettably she was wrong.
A police spokesman said: “Please do not think that just because you dial 999 that police will attend. We totally understand that sometimes people are unable or too afraid to talk, however, it must be clear that we will not routinely attend a silent 999 call.There must be some indication that the call has not been mis-dialled.”
Please, remember you need to cough or press 55 if you need the police!
And stay safe!
Liked Video this useful post with your friends and family. It may actually help to save someone’s life.
