911

Had an interesting experience last Wednesday. Just as I was getting ready for bed, a police car pulls into my drive. I also saw another one across the street. An officer rang my door bell. When I answered he informed me that a phone in my house had called 911 and that is why he was here. He asked me if I was all right and if everything in the house was fine. “Yes,” I replied quite surprised at the situation. He told me to check my phones as some phones dial 911 when their battery is about to fail. It was my main phone beside my computer - it’s battery was dead and there was no dial tone. It hadn’t given me any warning; just dailed 911 and died. Now that is not an emergency so why is it allowed. It was a GE phone with a lithium battery. Rather than replace the battery and have this happen again in five years I bought a new phone that takes regular AA batteries and gives me a warning when the battery is running low. Though very disappointed in my old phone (and embarrassed by it) I am very impressed with the 911 service and the understanding and polite officer they sent.