But even if you're one of the few who have text-to-911 support already, that doesn't mean you should use it. While the feature will certainly be helpful for the deaf (or if, you know, you're standing in the bank during a robbery), it can hurt you in other situations. 911 texts will have to include your full name and address, a needed step that will take a bit of time to type out on that QWERTY keyboard, as will your description of the crime scene (you won't be able to include photos or video). Texting also prevents an emergency worker from being able to hear what's going on around you or from asking quick, sometimes life-saving questions.

Text-to-911 will launch across the US by the end of the year. For now if you try and use the service somewhere it isn't available you'll get a bounce back message encouraging you to call instead -- something you likely should have done in the first place.

[Image credit: Getty]