Safety is the main reason one out three people got their cell phone. But even in areas with cell phone service, Consumer Reports discovered that your phone might not reach 911.

With the cooperation of local emergency centers, Consumer Reports conducted tests in Sullivan County, New York, and Steuen County, Indiana. The locations were chosen because they had one service provider with a strong signal and at least one weak signal.

Of the 18 phone and service combinations tested, nine failed to reach 911.

David Pittle, Consumer Reports senior vice president for technical policy, said those phones had a technical capability of getting through to 911 because all the phones, like a vast majority of cell phones in use today, were either dual-mode or tri-mode.

"That means that not only will they connect digitally, but they also have analog node," Pittle said. "So if you're trying to reach an emergency number and they can't get through digitally, we think the phone should automatically switch to analog and use whatever service available."

Since Consumer Reports' test show that doesn't always happen, here are some steps that may help if you're having trouble reaching 911.

• Even if your phone says "no service" dial anyway.


• If you are inside a car, get out and redial. Cars can block cell phone signals.


• Dial several times. It can take time for a tower to locate your phone


• Try using another cell phone if one is available

As Consumer Reports testers found, it may get through when you can't.