9-1-1 & Kids
Seconds count during an emergency. Everyone needs to use 9-1-1 properly to get help quickly during a fire, medical emergency or crime.
This is especially true for children. They can, and must, be taught how to correctly use the 9-1-1 system to save a life.
Follow these guidelines to teach children the proper way to use 9-1-1 to report emergencies:
Do...
- Always call from a safe location. If the house is on fire, get out first and then call from a nearby phone.
- Teach children their full name and address. And always post your full address near your home phone.
- Teach children to remain as calm as possible when speaking with the 9-1-1 operator so they can get the correct information to send help.
- Wait until the 9-1-1 operator tells you it is okay to hang up the telephone. It is common for 9-1-1 operators to keep young callers on the line until help arrives.
- If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don't hang up. Tell the 9-1-1 operator there is no emergency and you dialed by accident. If you hang up before speaking with the operator, he or she could send emergency crews to your location needlessly.
Do not...
- Do not call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank. You can get into serious trouble. More importantly, you can delay others getting the help they need in an emergency.
- Do not hang up the phone until the 9-1-1 operator tells you it is okay to do so.
- Do not call 9-1-1 for animal emergencies. Call Edmond Animal Welfare at (405) 216-7615
- Do not call 9-1-1 for noisy neighbors, loud music or barking dogs. Instead call (405) 359-4494..
