Safety Check-Point:

Know how to get emergency help with the phone (press "911" or "0" or call a number for help). Learn how to make calls and use a landline, a cell phone, and a pay phone.

Basic Information for parents:

• Make sure your child knows how to get help in an emergency. Does your area use 911? Do you use "O" on the phone?
• If your area does not require the use of the area code, make sure your child knows it anyway!
• Let your child practice making an emergency on a cell phone and a pay phone. Hold down the receiver button if you are calling 911! Let him or her try to connect with an operator. Often times you will get a recorded "menu"; walk your child through the steps to get through the menu and to real-life person.
• When calling for emergency help, a child should know 5 pieces of information:
  • the nature of the emergency
  • his or her name
  • his or her location
  • his or her phone number
  • his or her age (The operator is better able to help if the age of the child is known.)
• Discuss with your child what is considered an emergency. Is it an emergency if mom falls down the steps and can't get up? Is it an emergency if the freezer was left open and the ice cream is melting and dripping down the front of the refrigerator?

Help your child be prepared!

The curriculum goes into more detail on this subject.