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How did you teach your child to call 911?

14 years ago

I'd like to teach my 3-year-old what to do in an emergency and could use some pointers on how to call 911. I don't want to freak him out, just teach him common-sense tools. :) How would you go about this process?

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Comments (7)

2ajsmama
14 years ago
There was recently something on the news about a 3-yo who saved his grandma by calling 911 - maybe you can start by talking about that kid?

Of course I would leave out the trip to Chuck E Cheese he got as a reward - don't want your DS to dial it thinking he'll get an automatic reward LOL!

Here is a link that might be useful: Toddler saves grandma
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Not about a 3y/o but I am trying to teach my father how to use 911 if there is a need. (Alzheimers) I've explained 911 to him many times but there has to be a constant reminder. I frequently ask questions like "What would you do if you found Mom has fallen and she can't get up?" What would you do if Mom does not get up in the morning and you can't wake her?"

He used to be proud of the fact that he could come up with the right answer after some thought. Now he can't remember the 911 digits.

At least with a child they will eventually start remembering on their own. I would ask some "What should you do if.........." questions and teach the correct response while making sure the child knows 911 is only for "important stuff" and not to chat with someone.

A co-worker of mine's 5y/o son dialed 911 when she fell into a diabetic coma and could not speak or move. The son was prepared on what to do in emgergencies and saved his mother's life.
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ttodd
14 years ago
We didn't. One night they just showed up at the door while we were cooking dinner! Oops!
groomingal
14 years ago
They used to have decals you could put on the phones one of a cop, fire, medic, 911 and you pre program the phone with the numbers.
We taught our children what the different emergency services did and what constituted an emergency then they learned 911.
lesterd
14 years ago
We got colored, stick-on circle dot labels. Put 1 in 1 color next to the 9 and 2 of them in another color next to the 1. It was an easy teaching lesson thanks to those sticky dots.
Shannon01
14 years ago
TTod- good thing we don't live on same street or we would both be in trouble.

My daughter had a firetruck come to the preschool. I guess they taught the kids about 911 that day because while cooking dinner we got a knock on the door. It was two sherriffs. Turns out my 4yr old was showing her baby brother what to do in an emergency. She dialed and hung up. He thought that was fun so he did it too. I dragged both kids down and sherriff told them very nicely why what they did was not cool.

Fast forward a week. We went to Chilis for dinner. In walks the two officers. My dd freaked out because she was afraid they were coming for her. Then she hid because she was afraid they would recognize her.

That's how both my kids learned about 911.
folkvictorian
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for the good ideas! (OK, except for the ones leading to an officer or two at the front door! :)) I've read a couple of stories recently about little ones using 911 to help save people and thought I should at least introduce the idea to my son. We live too far from neighbors to get someone's help in an emergency, so it's up to us to phone for help. Thank you all!

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