CHILDREN AND 911

Everyone needs to know about calling 911 in an emergency. But children in particular need specifics about what an emergency is. Asking your child, "What would you do if we had a fire in our house?" or "What would you do if you saw someone trying to break in?" gives you a chance to discuss what is an emergency and what should be done if one occurs.

Learning what is an emergency goes hand in hand with learning what isn't. A fire, an intruder in the home, an unconscious family member - these are all things that would require a call to 911. A bruised knee, a stolen bicycle, or a lost pet wouldn't. Still, teach your child that if ever in doubt and there's no adult around to ask, make the call. It's much better to be safe than sorry!

Talk to your children about who the emergency workers are in your community - police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and so on - and what kinds of things they do to help people who are in trouble. This will paint a clear picture for your child of not only what types of emergencies can occur, but also who can help.

Teach your child how to dial 911, what to say, how to give directions and who is involved. Have the child do a practice call - any Bates County Communications Officer would love to assist you and your child! Please make sure your child understands that they should never call 911 for "fun" or as a "joke".