What did you do on Emergency Services day?

Having agreed on a cross-Europe emergency services number, 112, the EU was shocked to discover that hardly anyone in Europe knew it, and so declared yesterday, February 11, to be "European 112 Day".

Reg readers, being a distinctly Europhile crowd, were out in force celebrating the day in suitable fashion by summoning the emergency services in a variety of EU languages, and confirming that the two per cent increase in awareness seen over the last 12 months is a trend and not a statistical blip.

It's hard to imagine that back in January 2008 a mere 22 per cent of EU citizens knew they could dial 112 anywhere in Europe, and it's a tribute to the tireless campaigning that this figure has jumped to 24 per cent - almost a quarter - in only a year.

In 21 member countries callers get to speak to someone in English too, while Germans can report an emergency in their native tongue in 12 states, and the French in 11. Residents of other counties might like to check out what's available locally - there's even a kiddie corner with quizzes and puzzles for the young 'uns.

If you've been living in a cave since 1991, when 112 was introduced, then you might have missed the festivities yesterday - but never mind, there's always European 112 Day 2010 to look forward to. ®