Director urges families to keep landline phone

After seven months, cell phone calls to 911 have increased 10 percent from 2009.

Including the first part of August, cell phones have accounted for 68 percent of calls to Marion County Emergency Communications Department. In 2009, cell phones were used in 58 percent of 911 calls.

As recently as May 2008, fewer than half of 911 calls in the county were made with a cell phone.

More families are relying exclusively on cell phones, Communications Director Michele Abbott said Monday, but she said she would urge families, especially with small children, to keep a landline telephone.

With a landline phone, children always know where they can make emergency phone calls.

“If your cell phone is in your pocket or a purse during an emergency, and your kid can’t find it, it’s not much help,” Abbott said.