Teaching Children How to Use 9-1-1

Parents - use the following tips when teaching your children the proper way to use 9-1-1 for reporting emergencies:

• Never say "nine eleven."  There is no eleven on a telephone keypad or dial.  Always say "nine-one-one."

• Always call from a safe place.  If there is a fire in the house, get out first and then call.

• Post your address near the phone.

• Never call 9-1-1 as a prank or joke. You could be keeping someone who really needs help from getting it in time.  You can also get into trouble.

• 9-1-1 is not for animal emergencies, call your vet.

• Call 9-1-1 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation to the dispatcher.

• If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don't hang up.  Explain the mistake to the dispatcher and say there is no emergency.