A dozen false alarms busied the Revelstoke RCMP emergency line last week, which the detachment commander calls a fairly consistent number but a good reminder to be wary of accidentally dialing 911.

Between Feb. 3 and 9, officers answered a total 79 service calls, according to the detachment's weekly report by Staff Sgt. Chris Dodds. This included 12 false 911 calls, 10 traffic collision reports and seven driving complaints.

RCMP also caught wind of impaired driving, assault, theft and mental-health concerns, receiving three calls for each. One caller rang in about mischief to property, while another reported a Liquor Control and Licensing Act violation.

As well, officers received a Revelstoke Search and Rescue request for an injured skier on the Revelstoke Mountain Resort boundary, but the resort's ski patrol ended up taking care of the individual.

False 911 calls are mostly pocket dials from out-of-area cellphones, Dodds told Black Press Media. However, he said an increase in false calls the last few years is driven by crash-detection software built into newer iPhones and smart watches, especially those owned by snowmobilers, mountain bikers and skiers who may not even know the software is active.

"If multiple false alarms are received within the city at a specific location, a bylaw offence ticket can be issued to the owner," Dodds explained. "Before a ticket is issued, we will provide information to the owner and try to assist them with having the system fixed or ensuring the alarm system is being used correctly."

He encourages people to properly learn about and set up this software on their devices, adding that his RCMP detachment spends a "significant amount of time" on hang-up calls just to determine whether callers require emergency assistance. Dodds advises anyone who calls 911 in error to stay on the line and tell the dispatcher they are safe and don't require assistance.

"If we do call you back, don't ignore us," he said.