Before introducing Kari’s Law, it was required to type another digit on multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) before dialing an outbound phone line. This requirement was confusing and dangerous in the event of an emergency. Thanks to Kari’s Law, it is required that MLTS, including IP phone systems, hybrid MLTS, and TDM MLTS, allow the caller to dial 9-1-1 directly.
Kari's Law
Why Was Kari's Law Created?
In 2013 Kari Hunt was attacked by her estranged husband in a Texas hotel room. As a result of this attack, Kari tragically lost her life. During the incident, her nine-year-old daughter made four attempts to dial 9-1-1. None of these went through because she did not know you had to dial 9 before making an outbound call from that hotel.
Kari might have been saved if the phone did not need an extra digit before calling for help that day. After this incident, they created Kari’s Law to prevent this from happening to anyone else.
What Does Kari's Law Do?
There is now a mandate for MLTS to allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without a prefix, regardless of location. This applies to buildings using MLTS, such as office buildings, hotels, public schools, and dorms. Companies providing these telephone systems must also follow these rules. Also, following the 9-1-1 call, an alert is sent to security officials in the building to send help.
Kari’s Law was enacted in partnership with Ray Baum’s Act. Ray Baum’s act requires that MLTS send a dispatchable location from all 9-1-1 calls.
The Benefits of IP Phone Systems
Laws like Kari's law have are in place to ensure better phone safety when traveling. But what about when you're at home, or at work?
At NTS Direct, we believe that proper phone equipment is essential for the safety and effectiveness of your business. Let's take a moment and talk about some of the benefits of IP phone systems for your company.
The number one benefit is saving money. Most traditional telephone companies charge by the minute. Unless you have unlimited data, you will be charged extra if you go over the call time. The only charges you will receive from an IP (internet protocol) phone are from the internet service provider.
The next benefit is scalability. When companies sign up for regular phone service, they have to pay per line. With this setup, there is a limit to the number of phone lines a company can afford. With an IP system, there is not an extra fee for another phone line. To add another line, you connect an additional IP phone to your router. With this method, there is no concern about paying for another line.
Finally, IP phones are portable. A lot of people are still working from home due to the pandemic. The wireless capabilities of these phones make them perfect for those who need to take calls during their work-from-home job. If your company hires remote workers outside the country, they will still be able to use IP phones to their advantage.
Hopefully, you never find yourself in a similar tragic situation that led to the creation of Kari's Law. Phone systems should be convenient, reliable, and affordable, and should both help you in emergency situations, but also in regular day-to-day work activities.
When you decide to switch to an IP phone system, be sure to find a reputable company to work with. It is essential to go with a quality dealer to ensure the product you purchase is free of any damage. At NTS Direct, you can easily see what we offer by looking through our website pages. If you have any questions or concerns, our team members are more than happy to assist you with your purchase. Contact us today to get started with an IP phone system.