9-1-1
for Kids
9-1-1
Basics for Kids
WHEN you should call 9-1-1:
- In an emergency
- When you need help
- When you need the police, fire department or an ambulance
HOW
you call 9-1-1:
- Stay calm
- Listen for a dial tone
- On a push button phone push 9 - 1 - 1
WHAT
to say when the 9-1-1 dispatcher answers:
- Explain what's wrong - what type of an emergency
it is.
- Explain what type of help you need - fire, police,
ambulance
- Explain where help is needed
- Give you name and address loudly and clearly
- Answer all questions that are asked of you
WHAT
NOT to do when you call 9-1-1:
- Do not nod your head. Instead, answer "yes" or "no"
out loud.
- Do not hang up until the dispatcher says it's OK
to do so.
WHEN
YOU SHOULD NOT call 9-1-1:
- When there is no emergency
- For animals
- As a game or prank
- As a joke
9-1-1
Safety Tips for Kids (& Adults)
-
Don't say "Nine-Eleven." There is no "Eleven" on the
phone keypad and children can become confused in an
emergency situation. Instead, always say "Nine-One-One"!
-
Always call 9-1-1from
a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get to
a safe place before you call 9-1-1.
- Know
your address - have it posted near every phone. Kids
and adults both have been known to forget their address
and phone number during an emergency, so make it easy
for everyone in the home.
- Never
call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank. You could get into trouble,
your parents could get into trouble and you could keep
someone who really needs help from getting it.
- 9-1-1
is for people, NOT animals. If you have a problem with
a pet, call a friend or veterinarian. If you are not
sure you have an emergency, call 9-1-1 and explain your
problem to the 9-1-1 dispatcher.
- If
you call 9-1-1 by accident, please do not hang
up. When the dispatcher answers, explain that
you called 9-1-1 by mistake and that you do not have
an emergency.
9-1-1
Quiz for Kids
Test
your 9-1-1 knowledge. Answer whether you would or would
not call 9-1-1 in each situation. (Answers are at the
bottom.)
| 1. Your friend falls out of a tree and
is hurt badly |
Yes |
No |
| 2. You see a stranger lurking around your house |
Yes |
No |
| 3. You are home alone and you are bored and lonely |
Yes |
No |
| 4. Your neighbor's house is on fire |
Yes |
No |
| 5. You see a car accident |
Yes |
No |
| 6. You have an argument with your best friend |
Yes |
No |
| 7. You dog is limping |
Yes |
No |
| 8. You see someone breaking into a neighbor's house |
Yes |
No |
| 9. There is a fire in your fireplace |
Yes |
No |
Answers: 1=Y, 2=Y, 3=N, 4=Y, 5=Y, 6=N, 7=N, 8=Y,
9=N |
What
Should I Teach My Child about Calling
9-1-1?
Many
children know to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, but often
do not know other important information, such as their
address or how to reach a parent at work. Here is some
of the most important information children need to now
about calling 9-1-1:
- Teach
your children their names, their parents names, their
home address and home phone number
- Teach
your children the name of your employer and phone number
- Teach
your children what an emergency is and when to call
9-1-1
- Teach
your children how to hold the phone properly so that
they can speak clearly to the dispatcher
- Teach
your children that it is against the law to call 9-1-1
as a joke or prank
- Teach
your children not to be afraid to call 9-1-1 if there
is any doubt whether they should call
-
Calling a parent at work before calling 9-1-1 can waste
valuable time. Give them permission to call 9-1-1 if
they think there is an emergency
When
you dial 9-1-1 your call is answered by professionally
trained personnel. It is their job to assess the situation
and determine the appropriate response.
-
Remain calm and speak clearly. Do not panic. If you
are excited it is sometimes difficult to obtain the
necessary critical information for a quick response
to your emergency.
- Be
prepared to provide the call taker with the nature of
your emergency, your name, phone number, address, the
address where the incident occurred (if different) and
any additional information the call taker may request.
- Please
be aware that the call takers are professionally trained
and the information they require is important. Don't
become impatient or angry if you do not understand the
nature of their questions.
- If
the situation warrants, assistance will be dispatched
and the call taker may continue to solicit information
from you while emergency service is on the way.
- In
some cases you may be asked to remain on the line until
assistance arrives. DO NOT hang up until you are told
to do so.
- Be
aware that when you dial 9-1-1 from a cellular phone,
your call is routed to the closest 9-1-1 Center and
that the call taker may not be in the same area you
are calling from. Be prepared to provide them with all
of the information they request.
All
personnel are trained to identify and answer TTY or TDD
(Telephone Device for the Deaf) calls. Each call taking
position is equipped to answer these types of calls.
-
Teach your children the proper use of 9-1-1 early.
- Remember...9-1-1
is not for jokes.
- Never
call 9-1-1 on a dare.
- You
do not need a coin to dial 9-1-1 from a pay phone.
To
learn more about how we serve you, please explore our
web site. If you have additional questions you may e-mail
us at cresa@clark.wa.gov.
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ADDITIONAL LINKS:
fun
website for Kids
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