Police report Kids with smart phones tying up 9-1-1 staff with accidental calls.

York Regional Police service is advising people not to let their children play with smart phones and to lock your phone before putting it in your pocket. Police say smart phone users can also help prevent unintentional 9-1-1 calls by turning off the 9-1-1 auto-dial feature.

The police service in a news release said it has dealt with more than 15,172 unintentional 9-1-1 calls so far in 2017, which accounts for more than 18 per cent of all 9-1-1 calls the service has received.With every unintentional call received, precious seconds may be taken away from someone who really needs help.