21-year-old man calls 911 saying he needs help finding parents' house: OPP

Provincial police are again reminding Norfolk County residents to leave dialing 911 for emergencies after a man called them around 4 a.m. saying he was lost.

The 21-year-old called the emergency number on Jan. 1 at 3:53 a.m. sayinghe needed help finding his parents' house in the Port Dover area, according to officials.

Officers were dispatched and did help the man find his wayhome, but the police service issued a reminder that 911 is only meant for urgent calls.

"911 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when someone's health, safety or property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress. In an emergency every second counts," explainedConst.EdSanchuk. "Accidental calls or abuse of 911 ties up emergency lines, communicators and officers which could result in the slower response to a real emergency, risking the safety of people who may need urgent help."

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Sanchuk's statement comes after the OPP in Norfolk County received 911 calls from a 25-year-old woman whose parents told her to stop playing video games and a 9-year-old girl whose mom told her to clean her room.

Peopleare asked to phone 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergencies.