Have you taking the time to teach your kids how to call 911 or when to call?
Sesame Streets printable emergency preparedness booklet (see the Educational Resources page for the link) there's a wonderful practice script and phone for teaching and practicing calling 911. This is an important step in ensuring that help arrives efficiently and quickly.
I realized while working on scouts requirements with my son who is a tiger scout that he didn't even know how to call a friend. This is a good place to start. But I realized that he needs to feel confident in his phone communication skills in order to call for help in an emergency.
Once the basic skills of calling your best bud for a play date are down, then teaching how to call 911 is the next step. They need to know that the dispatcher is going to require certain information, and isn't interested in the normal "how are you doings?" they would usually offer. Its also important to have that required information posted where the kids can find it and read it (see the post "what's on your fridge?"). Remember if they have to call they're going to be scared and nervous, therefore more likely to forget what they're calling for or what to say. By practicing the phone call you can create a reflex for them in an emergency. They know who to call, where to find the information, and what to say.
Go further to let them know that the dispatcher will then give them instructions, and probably want them to stay on the line (and what that expression means). It's important the know that they don't just hang up when they're done with reciting the information on the fridge. Help them to understand what the dispatcher does, how the system works and what they can expect. Most importantly they need to know that the dispatcher is friend and trusted adult, just like policemen and firemen.
So as much as we hope that no one in our family has to call 911, its always best to be prepared!
Sesame Streets printable emergency preparedness booklet (see the Educational Resources page for the link) there's a wonderful practice script and phone for teaching and practicing calling 911. This is an important step in ensuring that help arrives efficiently and quickly.
I realized while working on scouts requirements with my son who is a tiger scout that he didn't even know how to call a friend. This is a good place to start. But I realized that he needs to feel confident in his phone communication skills in order to call for help in an emergency.
Once the basic skills of calling your best bud for a play date are down, then teaching how to call 911 is the next step. They need to know that the dispatcher is going to require certain information, and isn't interested in the normal "how are you doings?" they would usually offer. Its also important to have that required information posted where the kids can find it and read it (see the post "what's on your fridge?"). Remember if they have to call they're going to be scared and nervous, therefore more likely to forget what they're calling for or what to say. By practicing the phone call you can create a reflex for them in an emergency. They know who to call, where to find the information, and what to say.
Go further to let them know that the dispatcher will then give them instructions, and probably want them to stay on the line (and what that expression means). It's important the know that they don't just hang up when they're done with reciting the information on the fridge. Help them to understand what the dispatcher does, how the system works and what they can expect. Most importantly they need to know that the dispatcher is friend and trusted adult, just like policemen and firemen.
So as much as we hope that no one in our family has to call 911, its always best to be prepared!
