9-1-1 Tips as Kids Head Back to School

Next week, more than 80,000 Oklahoma children Pre-K through 12th grade, begin returning to school, and 911 officials with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) want to remind parents and kids of the following 911 tips.

"This is an exciting time of year for students,” said Steve Willoughby, 911 Division Director, ACOG. “Parents need to educate their children about 911 now before sending them back to school. Latchkey kids especially need to know about 911.”

Never try to text a message to 911, as the system can only receive calls from telephones, cell phones or other special telephones.

Know when to call 911
• If someone is hurt or can’t wake up (police, fire or medical emergency)
• To report a crime or suspicious activity
• If a situation poses a danger to property or life

When possible, call 911 from a landline (house phone) instead of a cell phone.

Teach children how to make a 911 call from all phones available to them including phones with send/green buttons.

Never hang up on a 911 call-taker. Wait for the call-taker to end the call.


Don’t mumble. It’s important that the 911 call-taker be able to hear you so speak clearly and slowly.


Know your location or be able to describe what is around you such as landmarks and mile markers.


Know your first and last name.


Know your address and phone number. Post this important information by the phone.


Don’t make anything up. If you don’t know the answer to a 911 call-taker’s question just say you don’t know.


Remove the batteries from old cell phones before giving it to a child to play with. Non-activated cell phone can still call 911.

“Unplug your landline or use a play phone to teach your children how to call 911,” Willoughby said.

“Children as young as three years old have successfully placed 911 calls when someone was hurt and in need of help. They know what a firefighter, police officer and ambulance are and can understand the concept of 911.”

To keep up with all the latest news and issues regarding 911 in Central Oklahoma, visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/911ACOG.

To schedule a 911 presentation for your school-aged group (ages Pre-K-2nd grade), contact Lysa Baker, Public Education, 911 ACOG, (405) 778-6172 or lbaker@acogok.org.

Photo Credit: JulNichols (purchased from istockphoto.com for commercial purpose)