“Luggage exceeded carry-on limits” tops E-Comm’s annual list of reasons not to call 9-1-1

From air fryers, to luggage, to dishwashers, E-Comm has heard it all this year.

Each year, the emergency communications centre releases a list of the most unusual 9-1-1 calls received by its operators to remind British Columbians that 9-1-1 is for emergencies only.

“No matter how absurd a call might be on the surface, we have to treat every 9-1-1 call as an emergency, until we can confidently determine otherwise,” said E-Comm police call taker Bailey Mitchell.

“Every second we spend fielding questions about traffic, hornets or bad haircuts is time that that could otherwise be helping someone in a life-threatening emergency situation.

This year’s top 10 list includes a wide range of non-emergency complaints:

1. Their luggage exceeded the carry-on limits
2. Walmart wouldn’t return an air fryer
3. Their dishwasher was broken
4. Someone parked at Starbucks and went into a grocery store instead
5. A non-electric car parked at EV charging station
6. They wanted to complain about traffic
7. They got locked out of their Airbnb
8. The left their iPad at the SkyTrain station
9. They wanted help getting a hornet out of their apartment
10. They were unhappy with their haircut

“The majority of people use 9-1-1 responsibly, and we want British Columbians to feel confident calling for help in an emergency,” said E-Comm Communications Manager Carly Paice.

“No matter the time of day, our call takers are here to connect people with critical emergency resources when they need them most.”

E-Comm reminds British Columbians that 9-1-1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required, such as someone’s health, safety, or property being in jeopardy or a crime is in progress.