Cologne, avocados and bunnies top list of E-Comm’s reasons to not call 9-1-1 in 2024

Too much cologne? Need directions to a pharmacy? Bad avocados? Don’t call 9-1-1.

That’s the message E-Comm is sending out in their annual top ten reasons not to call 9-1-1.

E-Comm handles approximately two million 9-1-1 calls each year, and releases the list annually to raise awareness of the importance of keeping emergency lines open for emergencies.

This year’s top ten calls includes:

1. Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne
2. The dry cleaners stained their shirt
3. McDonald’s wouldn’t open their doors
4. They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart
5. Complaining the power was out
6. Requesting technical support
7. The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten
8. They left their phone in an Uber
9. Requesting help removing a wasp nest
10. There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park

“We 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 if you require tech support,” said E-Comm Police Call Take Laura.

“We 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.”

E-Comm is asking everyone to do their part by keeping 9-1-1 lines free for in-progress emergencies that require immediate help from police, fire, or ambulance only.