Drowning incidents, traffic accidents, and drunken brawls. Never do as many people call 112 as on Midsummer's Eve. But the alarm operators would gladly avoid every third call – which steals time completely unnecessarily.
On Midsummer's Eve last year, 16,375 calls were made to SOS Alarm. That was over 50 per cent more calls than on an average day in 2023. Only New Year's Eves are usually close to the same level of alarm intensity.
Midsummer is a very special weekend, since so many people are on the move. And the better the weather is, the more intense it becomes for us, says Staffan Ekengren, communications manager at SOS Alarm.
Many calls should not be made
Medical emergencies – injuries and illnesses – always make up the largest proportion of calls to SOS Alarm. But around a third of all calls should not have been made.
We want to encourage people to use the emergency number only for real emergencies and nothing else. The pressure is extremely high on Midsummer's Eve, so calls that should not be made to us become a particularly big problem, says Staffan Ekengren.
In one year, there are 1.2 million incorrect calls to SOS Alarm. The most common ones are non-dramatic medical emergencies that could be handled with a call to the healthcare information service (1177) or the healthcare centre.
A not insignificant proportion of calls are prank calls, or calls from people with a very generous view of what is acute. It could be someone who wants to apply for a passport, or someone who has missed the bus and wants a lift with the police.
"Urgent cases are delayed"
It has also happened that people have called 112 and demanded help to get a bird that has flown into the living room out, or asked if they can get a lift with an ambulance to the hospital.
From a certain level of good judgment and consideration for one's fellow human beings, one can understand that the consequence of such calls is that urgent cases are delayed, says Staffan Ekengren.
Average number of calls per day to SOS Alarm in 2023, nationwide: 10,830
Number of calls from Midsummer's Eve at 05.00 to Midsummer Day at 05.00 last year: 16,375 – over 50 per cent more than on an average day.
The largest increases in the number of alarm calls on Midsummer's Eve, compared to an average day, were in Gotland and Kalmar counties.
The smallest increase was in Norrbotten county.
Source: SOS Alarm
112: The emergency number 112 is used in acute emergency situations where there is a risk to life, property, or the environment. You can also reach the on-call priest via 112.
11313: National information number, for giving and receiving information about major accidents and crises.
1177: Healthcare information service, where you can consult with a nurse or get help finding your way in healthcare.
11414: The police's national telephone number for non-urgent police matters.
Source: SOS Alarm
