Emergency Safety

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No matter where you live, take the time to teach your children about steps to take when calling an emergency number for help. Knowing when and how to use an emergency number can help save a life.

Know the emergency number in your community. Do not assume that 911 is the emergency number to call. Contact you local fire department or emergency medical service to confirm the number.
Post the emergency number by all phones and on your refrigerator so that everyone in your home (including baby-sitters and other care providers) knows what number to call.
Practice an emergency phone call with each of your children routinely once a child is able to speak and understand questions from an adult. Some children are confused by 9-1-1. They look at it as 9-11 and there is no 11 on a telephone. When practicing a 911 call, your child must be able to comunicate clearly:

Telephone number.
First and last name. If your child cannot speak clearly due to a disability or special health care problem, select a code word that he can use when an emergency number is called. Make certain that the emergency response professionals are aware of the code word identifying an emergency at your home.
Home address, including the numbers and full name of street.
What is the emergency? Why do you need help? Help children to understand when and when not to call an emergency number. Talk to your children about what types of situations would be emergencies required to call an emergency number.
If your house in on fire, get out immediately. Report the fire to an emergency number only after leaving the home and reporting in to a predetermined meeting place for all family members. Then, call the emergency number.
Remain on the phone when an emergency number is called and do not hang up until all information is provided, depending on the situation.

Emergency Safety

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