Teaching kids to call 911

Even very young children can learn about 911, what to do in an emergency and when not to call. An emergency is any situation that needs immediate help from the police, the fire department or an ambulance. Many 911 centers can talk a caller through what to do until help arrives, such as step-by-step help for someone who is choking or needs CPR.

When to call

• Teach what an emergency isThat means a fire, a crime, or someone who is injured or having a medical emergency. Each one needs the police, firefighters or an ambulance right away.
• Explain what isn't an emergencyToo many 911 calls aren't emergencies, and they overload the system.

How to call

• Show them how to call from each phone in the houseInclude a parent's cell phone.
• Teach them to call rather than textA voice call gives the 911 center more information and is the most reliable way to reach it. Text 911 only when calling isn't possible.
• Know the home address by heartInclude the street, the house number and the apartment or room number in a large building.
• Put emergency numbers where a child can see them

What happens on the call

• Explain that the call-taker will ask questionsThey'll ask where the emergency is, the phone number they're calling from, what happened, and details such as what a fire looks like or how someone is hurt.
• Tell them to do what the call-taker saysThe questions help send the right help as fast as possible.
• Teach them to stay on the lineDon't hang up until the call-taker says to.

Phones and mistakes

• Take the battery out of an old phone used as a toyA cell phone with no calling plan can still reach 911, and a live call goes through. The 911 center can't see its location or call it back.
• Tell children not to call 911 from old or unused phones
• If 911 is dialed by mistake, stay on the lineHanging up can make the center think there's an emergency and send someone. Explain what happened to the call-taker instead.