Teaching Kids About 911

Teaching a child about 911 may seem like a scary task—but it doesn’t have to be. By educating your child, you are giving them the safety tools needed in case of an emergency. Here are some simple tips to help teach your kids when and how to call 911.  

What is 911 

911 is a 24/7 emergency operating number that, when called, alerts a number of different types of emergency responders and services. Police, firefighters and paramedics are only a snippet of the type of responders who can be contacted depending on the situation.  

When to Teach 

Children can learn about 911 as early as elementary school. If a parent or guardian must leave their child home alone, children should already be familiar with when and how to call 911. It is important for kids to know that calling 911 is only for emergencies—not for fun. Some examples of when to call include: 

• If there is a fire 

• If someone is not breathing  

• If there is a crime taking place, such as someone is trying to break in 

How to Teach your Child to Call 911 

1. Memorize: Some of the very first questions a 911 operator will ask a caller is their full name, address and phone number. There may be times when cellular service may not be enough to pick up a location, so teach your child to be as specific as possible when describing where they are at.  Using descriptors such as house colors, surrounding buildings or trees helps operators get to your child faster

2. Role-play: Pretending to be a 911 operator with your child will not only let them practice but also familiarize them with the sequence of calling. Remind your child to remain calm and to clearly say what is wrong 

3. Mirror: Whether you have a landline or smartphone, physically show your child how to dial 911 by allowing them to see you grab the phone and pretend to dial the numbers. In the case of smartphones, ensure your child knows how to unlock your phone and get to the number pad

Reminders for Kids 

• Always listen to what the operator tells you to do 

• Don’t hang up the phone until the operator tells you to, even if dialed on accident 

• Calling 911 when it’s not an emergency prevents others from getting help when they really need it

In a digital age, children have the ability to take control of situations that are otherwise out of their hands. Ensuring that a child has the proper resources and knowledge to protect themselves and others is one of the most important things a parent can do.