Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

  • EXAMPLES


    PRACTICE YOUR PLAN

    to address emergency scenarios and give your child confidence

  • ALWAYS


    TEACH YOUR CHILD

    that if ever in doubt, always make the call

  • CONTACT


    YOUR CHILD

    should have your street address and phone number memorized

  • EXPLAIN


    THE EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS

    may give first-aid instructions

HOW AND WHEN TO CALL 9-1-1


Teaching your child how to use 9-1-1 in an emergency could be one of the simplest and most important lessons you’ll ever share. Learning what an emergency is, is just as important as learning what is not an emergency. Still, teach your child that if ever in doubt, and there’s no adult around, always make the call. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.

SAFETY TIPS

WHEN EDUCATING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT 9-1-1

  • EXPLAIN


    NO
    JOKE

    Educate your child on the difference between calling 9-1-1 and 9/11 (September 11, 2001). Calling 9-1-1- as a joke is a crime in many places.

  • ADDRESS


    BE
    CLEAR

    Visible house numbers are important so that police, fire, or ambulance workers can easily locate your address

  • DISCUSS


    MEDICAL
    CONDITIONS

    Parents should discuss with their children emergencies that may occur when family members have medical conditions or are elderly

  • SAFETY


    ACCESSIBLE
    KITS

    First-aid kits should be kept handy. Make sure your child and babysitters know where to find it.

OPERATOR QUESTIONS

Explain to your child that it’s OK to be frightened in an emergency. Remind them it is important to stay calm, speak slowly and give as much detail to the operator as possible.

If your child is old enough to understand, also explain that the emergency dispatcher may give first-aid instructions before emergency workers arrive at the scene. Make it clear that your child should not hang up until the person on the other end says it’s OK.


  1. Where are you calling from? (Where do you live?)
  2. What type of emergency is this?
  3. WHO NEEDS HELP?
  4. IS THE PERSON AWAKE AND BREATHING?

KIDS

Try our Children’s activity Workbook!

19-NCTCOG-0013 Activity Book Spreads

Take the Quiz

  • Question 1

    When calling 9-1-1, it is important to teach your children to stay calm, speak slowly and give as much detail to the operator as possible.

    Correct!

    Lack of details and calmness can kill

    Incorrect

    Lack of details and calmness can kill

  • Your Results

    0 Correct, 0 Wrong

  • Make a Plan

    A little preparation could protect your life and the lives of those around you. It only takes a few minutes to develop a plan. When finished, you'll have a pocket-size emergency plan at hand.

  • Build a Kit

    Remember how long it took to pack for your last vacation? The last thing you want to worry about in a disaster is packing. That’s why everyone should have an Emergency Supply Kit ready to go. Use this checklist to help you assemble your kit.

/// Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website. ///