If you’re a parent, your first order of business is keeping your children safe. You teach them how to cross the street, how to look both ways before crossing, and how to stay away from strangers.
But what about teaching them how to make 911 calls?
Knowing how to properly call for help can be a valuable life-saving skill that every child needs to learn.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of teaching children how to make 911 calls, what they need to know before making the call, and some tips for making the process engaging.
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Understanding Emergencies & 911 Calls
First and foremost, it’s essential that children can define an emergency and understand what 911 is and how it works.
Start by letting your child know that an emergency is a serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation that requires immediate attention. From there, explain that 911 is an emergency service that provides help in the case of an emergency.
It’s also important to teach kids to call 911 only in the case of an emergency and the different types of emergencies that warrant a call, including:
- There’s a fire
- Someone is unconscious after an accident, drinking too much, or an overdose of pills or drugs (“mommy or daddy aren’t waking up”)
- Someone has trouble breathing
- Someone is choking
- They see a crime happening
- There’s a serious car accident
What They Need to Know Before Calling
Children as young as grade 1 are capable of calling 911 for help. The most important thing for them to have memorized at this age is
- Your phone number
- Your address
In fact, our kids can retain more than we sometimes give them credit for. Here’s what you can expect your child to know (and what we teach in our school programs):
LEVEL 1 (GRADES 1-2)
- Is it safe?
- Knowing when it’s an emergency and how to call 911
- Know your address and phone number
- Understanding AED and First Aid Kit locations in school.
LEVEL 2 (GRADES 3-4)
- Is it safe?
- Knowing when it’s an emergency and how to call 911
- Locating and retrieving First Aid Kit and AED in school if needed
- Recovery position / Direct pressure
LEVEL 3 (GRADES 5-6)
- Focus on finding help and calling 911 if necessary
- Knowing when it’s an emergency
- Find a First Aid Kit and AED
- Specific scenarios (that are commonly encountered)
- Recovery position
- Direct pressure
- Cleaning and bandaging wounds
First edition has a Student School First Aid Training Program that empowers children to help in an emergency. We partner with schools in Calgary to ensure that children know all that we have discussed here, and more. If you are in Calgary and your school does not currently offer this training, please speak with the principal – we’d love to help!
Be Proactive
Calling 911 can be nerve-wracking, so before your child ever needs to make a 911 call, it is important to prepare them for the possibility. This can be achieved by:
- Encouraging them to stay calm and collected, no matter what the situation may be
- Remind them to speak clearly and give as much information as possible to the operator
- Teach them to identify their location and provide it to the operator (street address, cross streets, or landmarks in the area)
Prepare Them By Role-Playing
Role-playing is an excellent way to practice 911 calls with your children.
Creating different scenarios that might warrant a call and practicing them with your child will help them understand when it is appropriate to make a call and how to provide necessary information to the operator. Make sure to ask common dispatcher questions like:
- Do you need fire, police, or ambulance?
- What is the location of the emergency?
- What is the phone number that you are calling from?
- Who is involved?
- What is the problem?
Remember to make the experience a fun and engaging activity so your child doesn’t feel stressed or anxious.
Important Lesson About 911 Calls
In addition to teaching your children how to making them, it’s also extremely important to talk to your child about the responsibility that comes with calling 911.
Explain to them calling 911 is a serious matter and that making prank calls can lead to dangerous consequences. Emphasize the importance of only making a call when it is necessary and to follow the instructions of the operator.
Teaching your child how to make 911 calls is a crucial skill that they should learn at a young age.
By educating them on what 911 is, how it works, and how to make a call, you can help keep them safe in an emergency and they may be able to save your own life. Remember to practice scenarios and give your child the confidence they need to make the call when they need to.
Let’s all work together to keep our children safe!
Ensure that you have the tools to keep your child safe anywhere, any time by taking our Standard Child Care First Aid Course.
