911 Tips for Youth and Parents

911 TIPS YOUTH

  1. Make sure your child can say their first and last names, and can provide their address or location
  2. Explain the different emergencies that might require your child to call 911, such as:
    • Fire
    • Medical emergency
    • Car accident
    • Stranger danger


  3. Ensure that your child understands that 911 should only be called if there is a real life-safety emergency. It should never be called for practice, a joke, or for any other non-emergency reason. Doing so prevents 911 dispatchers from responding to someone who may be in an emergency situation.
 
  4. Show your child the steps for calling 911 on your mobile phone.
 If you have a security lock on your phone's home screen, teach your child how to unlock it.
 
  5. Go over your mobile phone's keypad several times to familiarize them with making a call.
 Have your child practice making a phone call from your mobile phone by calling a family member or friend. Do not call 911 to practice with your child.
  6. Practice, practice, practice.
 The more repetition you can provide, the easier it will be for your child to recall the steps - even in an emergency.

  7. Do not let your children play with old mobile phones.
 Because old mobile phones are still able to dial 9-1-1 even if they are not active with a wireless carrier, they should not be used as a toy.

911 Tips for Seniors

When emergencies strike, seconds count.  Many times, seniors don't know if they should call 9-1-1 because they don't know if they have a true emergency or they don't want to bother others with their problems.  9-1-1 is there when you need it.  If you don't know if you are having an emergency, call 9-1-1 and ask.

Emergencies may include, but are not limited to:

  • Chest pains or trouble breathing
  • Diabetic emergencies
  • Bleeding that won't stop
  • Falling down and unable to get up or having severe pain moving
  • Heart attack or stroke signs or symptoms
  • Smelling smoke or natural gas in your home
  • Seeing smoke or fire, no matter how small
  • Seeing someone suspicious outside your home
  • Hearing strange noises inside or outside your home 
  • Anytime you feel your safety is at risk; call 9-1-1 FIRST

911 SENIORS