Kids' Corner

What should I teach my child about calling 9-1-1?

 
While many children are familiar with dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency situation, they often do not know other important information, such as their address or how to reach a parent at work. Here is some of the most important information children need to know about calling 9-1-1:
  • Teach your children their names, their parents’ names, or grandparents’ names, their home address and phone number. 
  • Teach your children the name of your employer and phone number.
  • Teach your children what an emergency is and when to call 9-1-1.
  • Teach your children that it is against the law to call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank. 
  • Teach your children not to be afraid to call 9-1-1 if there is any doubt as whether it is an emergency. The trained Telecommunicator will decide.  
  • Teaching your children to call you at work before calling 9-1-1 wastes valuable time if it is a true emergency. Give them permission to call 9-1-1 for help. 
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Play a game – Test your Child by asking them questions maybe while driving in the car or waiting at the doctor’s office. 
  • If mom or dad would not wake up, what would you do?
  • Where does Mom or Dad work?
  • What color is your house? 
  • What kind of car/truck does Dad or Mom drive? 
  • What is your address and Phone number? Parents cell if no landline. 
  • If someone bad (stranger) broke into your house, what do you do?
  • You see smoke or flames in a building what numbers do you dial?
  • What are your neighbor’s last names?
  • What is the name of your school? 
These are all good questions that might help your child during an emergency.