CALLING FOR HELP

- How to Make a 9-1-1 or an Emergency Call - Teach Children How to Call 9-1-1 or an Emergency Number for Help - Special Note Print This Page

HOW TO MAKE A 9-1-1 OR AN EMERGENCY CALL (Return to Top)

Be sure to have emergency phone numbers and other pertinent information posted close to your telephone.

Call from a safe place: Get away from sources of danger (fire, gas leak, etc.). Call from a neighbor's house or a pay phone.

Stay calm: Speak clearly and slowly, to make sure you get the help you need.

• Give your name and telephone number you are calling from.
• Identify the problem - fire, number of people trapped, etc.
• Provide address/location - including house number, street name/intersection and municipality of where the emergency is.

Answer all questions: Give any information that the emergency operator asks for. If you have a cellular phone be certain to give your exact location and call-back number.

Listen for instructions: Do exactly as the operator says.

Stay on the line: Do not hang up until you are told to do so.

TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO CALL 9-1-1 OR AN EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR HELP (Return to Top)

Make Sure They:

Never make prank calls: Tell children that making fake emergency calls puts people's lives at risk. It is also against the law.

Understand when to call: Explain which kinds of situations are emergencies and which are not.

Know how to dial 9-1-1: Don't program 9-1-1 on a speed-dialing device. Instead have children memorize the number. Then, have them practice dialing it with a disconnected phone.

Know their full name, address and phone number: Being able to give this information quickly can make all the difference in an emergency.

Follow all directions: Teach children to stay on the line until they are told to hang up.

SPECIAL NOTE (Return to Top)

Parents/guardians/caregivers should be aware that some communities do not have 9-1-1 emergency service. We therefore recommend that before you began training you confirm the emergency number with your local emergency service provider.

The safety information enclosed was compiled from the best sources available to us. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and authors cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every emergency situation.