Preparing a Child for an Emergency

Teaching Kids What To Do During an Emergency

Last updated 10 months ago

Medical emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. If your child were to be confronted with one of these urgent medical situations, would he or she know what to do? When given the right tools and education, any child can approach a medical emergency with confidence and calm. Read on to learn more about teaching your child what to do if a medical emergency strikes.

Where to call
If your child believes that someone’s life may be in danger, make sure that he or she knows to call 9-1-1 to reach your local emergency care services. Teach your child that the adults on the other end of the line are there to help. Setting up role-playing or pretend situations can help to reinforce this important information for future use.
What to say
When contacting 911, the caller is typically asked to provide his or her name, address, nearest cross streets, and telephone number. Keep this information stored in a safe place and tell your child where it is located. When relaying information to the dispatcher, instruct your child to include just the facts about the situation.Children should also be taught to follow the dispatcher’s instructions and should never be afraid to ask questions of the dispatcher if they do not understand the instructions.
Other preparation
If you utilize the services of a day care provider or babysitter, make sure that they are aware of your child’s allergies and chronic illnesses. Keep a list of your phone numbers, pediatrician’s name, and an additional adult’s contact information in case of emergencies. Preparedness measures can help to avoid tragedy in the future.

At Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, our emergency services department is always open to you and your family. Our emergency medical specialists have the full range of advanced diagnostic and treatment tools needed to provide the highest quality of medical care when you need it most. Contact our hospital at (877) 888-5746 for more information about our comprehensive healthcare services.