What to Expect When You Dial 9-1-1
Tips for Teaching Kids Their Phone Number
- Use our worksheet to have them write and practice dialing their phone number.
- Put the worksheet on your fridge, or another place, where kids can quickly reference it at home.
- Make up a song or rhyme to help them remember their phone number.
- Example: 409-885-6753, that’s the number of my mommy!
- Repeat this activity for other places where your child may frequently visit or stay:
- Grandma’s house
- Aunt or uncle’s house
- Babysitter’s house
What to Teach Kids About Dialing 9-1-1
- Make sure your child can say their first and last name, knows their phone number, and provide their address or location.
- Explain the different emergency situations that might require your child to call 911.
- Medical emergency
- Car accident
- Fire
- Stranger danger
- Ensure the child understands that 911 should only be called if there’s an actual emergency.
- Never call as a joke or prank.
- If a child accidentally calls 9-1-1, tell them they should stay on the line and make sure the dispatcher knows it was an accident.
- Show your child the steps for calling 911 on the practice worksheet
- If you have a security lock on your phone’s Home screen, teach your child how to unlock it.
- Use the Phone Simulator provided by Verizon for help practicing, too.
- Have your child practice this repeatedly over several days.
- Don’t use old mobile phones for practice.
- Teach your child that old phones, even those not active with a wireless provider, can still call 9-1-1.