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dolorsofmary Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 17 2010
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Posted: Aug 12 2010 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
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Hmmm... with fire prevention week approaching in October I realize that I am tardy in teaching my son what a true emergency is. I have not sat him down to truly teach him when to call 911 and when not to because I know false alarms are VERY COSTly and I don't want him calling willy nilly. He is a drama queen and LOVES to do and talk talk talk, etc. So I can see him calling 911 for anything. Same goes for teaching him when tattling is a good thing - for a true emergency - and when it is not a good thing. He has no siblings but just like during play dates, etc. So not sure what to do. Anyways you can suggest to approach this please? Thank you!
And I have also not taught him this difference yet also because he LOVES to play 100 questions and I just don't have the patience to play 1000 questions with this topic. Your thoughts please!
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SeaStar Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
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Posted: Aug 12 2010 at 8:36pm | IP Logged
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If you can tour a fire station during Fire Prevention week, that is an excellent time to bring up the subject. You can arrange beforehand (over the phone) to have the firemen bring up the subject of calling 911. Having it explained by a fireman makes it even more serious and would most likely make a big impression on your son.
We did something similar last year, and the firemen were more than happy to include that in their talk.
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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lovebeingamom Forum Pro
Joined: June 05 2009
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Posted: Aug 13 2010 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
If you can tour a fire station during Fire Prevention week, that is an excellent time to bring up the subject. You can arrange beforehand (over the phone) to have the firemen bring up the subject of calling 911. Having it explained by a fireman makes it even more serious and would most likely make a big impression on your son.
We did something similar last year, and the firemen were more than happy to include that in their talk. |
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I totally love this idea!!!! My DD is almost 4 and DS will be 2 next month ... too early to tour a fire dept. for fire prevention week?
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Aug 13 2010 at 12:12pm | IP Logged
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as far as how to teach an emergency.. start with extremes and just talk about it off and on..
Do we call the fire department for a fire in a fireplace? Do we call the fire department if the whole house is on fire?
Do we call the ambulance for a scrape on the knee? do we call the ambulance if someone cuts off their arm?
Do we call the police because someone tells a lie? Do we call the police if a stranger is breaking into a neighbor's house?
Give him lots of extremes that mostly have straightforward answers.
And at his age he should be coming to you first vs the phone.. so you might also give him some guidelines.. if mom is sick or hurt and you shake her arm and she doesn't talk to you, then you call 911.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Aug 13 2010 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
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And you need to teach what to say if they do call.. you want them to know to say their name, their address, the problem.. oh and likely their age.. that will help the person on the other end know what to ask and how to ask etc.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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guitarnan Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Aug 13 2010 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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When I had my home daycare business, I taught my little daycare boys to dial 911 with a toy phone. As Jodie says, talking through the "when to call" scenarios is very helpful.
Most young children can understand how to call 911 and remember that they should call if mommy has fallen down and can't get up and/or talk.
One of my colleagues has written a guide to teaching kids how to call 911 that might be helpful (especially the little song you can sing together!).
__________________ Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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stacykay Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2006 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Aug 14 2010 at 12:19pm | IP Logged
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We haven't had any problems with our boys calling 911. But two friends have had this occur. One was just plain old calling 911, but he hung up. With traceable calls, they sent the whole works out, on the chance it was someone in a dangerous situation who couldn't talk. My friend had to let the emergency folks in to see that all was well. She ended up taking the FD a dinner and the PD a fruit basket (she wasn't charged for the call.)
My other friend and her dh are both police officers. Her ds, about age 3, was unhappy at the sitter, knew you called 911 for police, so he called and requested to talk to "my mom and dad!" My friend was mortified, but everyone else thought it was rather cute.
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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