HOW TO CALL FOR HELP

HOW TO MAKE A 9-1-1 OR AN EMERGENCY CALL

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.

Answer all questions: Give any information that the emergency dispatcher 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 dispatcher says.

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

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO CALL 9-1-1 OR AN EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR HELP

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.

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 instructions: Teach children to stay on the line until they are told to hang up.

SPECIAL NOTE

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.

Last Updated: May 27, 1999