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Not so smart: Kelowna RCMP seeing false 911 calls from watches

Uptick in mistake calls during ski season
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Falling skiers and snowboarders are causing problems for local police.

Six separate 911 calls have come into Kelowna RCMP this winter, all a result of riders not having turned off their SOS function off on their watch.

When falling with it on, your smart watch could automatically call RCMP, as if it was a fall at home or a vehicle collision.

It last happened on Jan. 10, prompting emergency services to go to a local ski resort, though the source could not be found.

“Kelowna RCMP respond to all calls but this potentially could cause police, fire or ambulance the inability to respond to a real emergency in a timely manner,” said Cst. Mike Della-Paolera, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP.

Police are asking that when heading to the ski kills, smart watch owners go to their settings and turn off their fall detection.

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@JakeC_16
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com

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Jake Courtepatte

About the Author: Jake Courtepatte

Editor of Kelowna Capital News & West K News since February 2022. I have spent the majority of my career working in the Toronto area as both a sports reporter and a general reporter.
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