Tips for Parents

Kids need to know how to keep themselves safe and knowing this will build the self-confidence they need to handle emergencies effectively. You can make sure your children are prepared by teaching them how to act in an emergency and planning ahead.

• Make sure kids know their full name, parents’ full names, address (including city and state), and phone number (including area code).
• Explain to kids that an emergency is a situation where they need the help of a police officer, firefighter, or doctor. Discuss or role-play different situations and ask children to identify the emergencies.
• Teach children to call 911 or 0 in an emergency and explain that this will bring a police officer or firefighter to the emergency. With a play phone or one that’s disconnected, have children practice dialing 911 or 0 and telling the “operator” their emergency, full name, full address, and telephone number. Have children also practice dialing on a cell phone that’s turned off.
• Talk with kids about what to do when they need help if it’s not an emergency, such as if they are home alone and have a headache.
• Make sure your children know how to reach you at all times, and be sure that you can reach them.
• Post emergency numbers by the phone, including your work and cell phone numbers.
• With your children, pick a safe place they can go to near your home if they need help right away. Find out if your neighborhood has a McGruff House. If not, consider starting your own.
• Find an alternative place your children can go if they cannot reach home, such as a school, library, fire station, or other safe place.