How to Report an Emergency
Have you ever thought about how to report an emergency? How do you make a 911 call? Do you know what they will ask and what you will need to know?
Please watch the “How to Report an Emergency” video.
Discuss the following scenarios with your child to practice whether something is an emergency or not. It will help children practice problem solving and whether they need to call 911 or not.
- You are making toast. The toast gets stuck and catches on fire. The toaster is near the curtains and they catch on fire, too.
- Is this an emergency?
- What do you do?
- Who do you call?
- From where?
- Your brother falls down the stairs; he does not move or answer when you talk to him.
- Is this an emergency?
- What do you do?
- Who do you call?
- From where?
- You come home after school and see that the front door of your house is open.
- Is this an emergency?
- What do you do?
- Who do you call?
- From where?
If you liked these scenarios and would like to try more or if you’d like to see our suggested answers, click on the link below to download the handout on “Helping Children Handle Emergencies”.
Helping Children Handle Emergencies (printable copy)
Once you have completed all seven situations on the handout, then use the video and the following sheet, How to Report an Emergency, as a guide to practice making a 911 call. (Don’t really call 911, just pretend you are the 911 operator and your child is the caller.) Research has found that practicing what to do in these situations makes it easier for children to make good decisions.
How to Report an Emergency (printable copy)
How To Call 911 on Smart Phones – examples and simulators from Verizon Wireless
