Parents tend to worry about the safety of their kids and family when they are away. You may worry about your loved ones getting ill or injured. Also, an intruder can risk their safety by breaking into the property. This is why you should guide your children about calling 911 in an emergency.
Talking About Calling 911 With Kids
Everyone needs to know how to call 911 in an emergency. Young kids may not know who to call for help. So, you should guide them about emergency workers in your community. This includes police officers, firefighters, paramedics, healthcare workers, and more. Kids should also how they can help people who are in trouble.
Calling 911 may not be rocket science. But kids often find it a challenge. You should prepare them for an emergency by sharing relevant information. You should ask them what they would do if a fire breaks out. Or what if someone tries to break in?
This approach gives you a chance to discuss emergencies and what to do if such an event occurs.
When to Call 911
Teach kids that an emergency is when someone needs help right away. It can be because of an injury or an immediate danger. So, they should call 911 in the following situations:
- When there is a fire
- If someone is unconscious after an accident
- Someone overdosed on drugs
- When you have trouble breathing
- Seizure attacks
- When someone is choking
- Witnessing a crime
- After a critical car accident
Prepare Your Kids for an Emergency
Kids may feel scared or nervous if they have to call 911. You should assure them that emergency operators talk to a lot of nervous or worried kids. So, they should put their worries to rest and stay calm.
Your kids should know that they should never share personal information with strangers. But it’s fine to trust 911 operators. Explain that the emergency operator will ask them questions such as:
- What is the emergency? or What happened?
- Where are you? or Where do you live?
- Who needs help? or Who is with you?
When calling 911, they should give the operator all the information they can. This includes what the emergency is and how it happened. If they’re old enough, also explain that the emergency dispatcher may give first-aid instructions before emergency workers arrive at the scene.
