Knowing when to dial 911 can save a life. Even young kids can learn how to call for help in case of an emergency.
“Usually around the age of 4, children are able to understand the process and maybe even memorize a few key details like your address or phone number,” said Justin Cahill, MD, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Bridgeport Hospital.
When teaching kids how to dial 911, there are a few things they should know.
Learn when to call
It’s important for kids to know that dialing 911 is only for a true emergency. This can include a situation such as:
- A fire
- If someone is choking
- Someone isn’t breathing
- Someone can’t wake up
If they are not alone and there is an emergency, kids should always get a responsible adult first before calling.
Know what happens when they call
Kids should know what happens when they call 911. An operator will answer and ask them questions.
“You can tell them to try to be calm and give the information as best they can,” said Dr. Cahill. “They should also know to stay on the phone with the operator because they are there to help and they’ll give directions on what to do.”
This is important because if the child is in danger, the operator will tell them what to do to be safe.
Help set kids up for success
Kids should be able to give their name, address, phone number and parents’ names. If kids have access to a landline, they should know how to dial, and if a child has access to a cellphone, they should know how to unlock it, or how to make an emergency call without unlocking it.
Practice makes perfect
“Role playing is a good way to practice,” said Dr. Cahill. “You can have them practice dialing 911 on a toy phone and you can ask them scenarios like, ‘what would you do if I was making the choking sign?’”
Some caregivers may be nervous talking about emergencies with their kids because they don’t want to scare them. But talking about 911 before an emergency happens can help kids feel better prepared.
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