should i be teaching my kids to ring 000 in an emergency ?

[minniemouse]

at what age should i start and how do i go about it ?

the kids are nearly 5 and nearly 3

any advice appreciated

[Phteven]

yes, you should teach them and also if you use speed dial some other emergency contacts (grandparents, dad etc).
Tell them that if they are ever really scared or worried they can use it. The person will say fire, police or ambulance but if they don't know the answer they can tell the person what is wrong and they will send the right person.
If they know their address that is a big bonus but they can trace the call if they need to.
If they don't know zero you can put a dot on it with nail polish.

Also tell them that if they ever lose you somewhere the best person to approach is a mum with kids.

[angelaartsstudent]

Ja, if calling from a landline you don't usually have to tell them the address.

But this is something I've had in my mind ever since I thought about having kids! Lol. I think 3 is a good sage to start, so go for it!

[AliBaby]

Yes definitely. Put the number on the fridge as well and on the phone.
I have known two 4 year olds who have called 000

[Arimeh]

I told DS about 6 months ago about using 000 for emergencies - in case mummy fell down at home and is asleep and he can't wake me - then to grab the phone, press the button with the telephone on it (its cordless) and press the 0 three times.

There is also a website with little games on it that shows the kids what to do about calling 000 - I can't remember what it is off the top of my head, but perhaps Jodi will pop in here, she's the one that told me.

ETA - DS is about to turn 4 - so he was about 3.5 when I told him and he grasped the concept pretty good.

[minniemouse]

thanks for all the replies, the nearly 5 year old knows her own address but not her brother yet

Arimeh's Eden: that website sounds good, i was wondering if there was a way for her to practise (obviously can't keep ringing the actual number to try it out lol)

i better put a plan together over circumstances where she/they might need to use it !

[Mother Goose]

absolutely! I have taught DD how to ring 000, her Daddy from my mobile, and she can call her Grandparents.

If you google tripple zero hero you will find a GREAT website for teaching kids about calling 000.

If you go to the Royal Show, they usually have a booth with the Emergency Services where kids can practice calling 000 a well. They have a person sitting opposite them so it really does mimic calling 000. And they are GREAT with kids!

[Arimeh]

If you google tripple zero hero you will find a GREAT website for teaching kids about calling 000.

Yup thats the site I was talking about - here it is here
http://kids.triplezero.gov.au/

[minniemouse]

great thanks for that website :-)

[widdly]

I didnt teach DS to call 000 cause I only have a mobile phone and he was too young to remember how to unlock it and its a touch phone, so its all very technical. But, kindy taught him to do it, and he often talks about it.

[sconeonamission]

we don't have a landline, and my iphone needs a code to get into it (which ds doesn't know)... I'll have to check out that website and see what it says to do. DS knows his address, but not the suburb.

[~clover~]

Do you guys know with mobiles the best number to call is 112? It will pick up any company coverage, so works if you have no service & is actually 000.
Might be a bit technical for a little one, but maybe have 000 as speed dial #1 on the house phone & 112 as speed dial #1 on the mobile?

[BrightSparkles]

for sure.

Note to self though - if your pretending to be asleep because you've had a big night and your kids are trying to wake you - at least answer the question they have because they might be calling triple 000 for you....

[~Flossie~]

i have also taught DD ( almost 7 ) that in an emergency if waiting for ambo, then she should unlock front door turn front lights on etc (if night) ..

we were at a friends house and a small fire started in the kitchen and i was so proud of my DD she started yelling Fire get down low and go, she grabbed the phone and started to call 000, by this stage we had a fire blanket on the stove .. so we didnt call 000, she had also got another little boy out of the lounge and into the yard x

[Mother Goose]

Well done to your DD Floss!

[AliBaby]

From a mobile you have to teach them 112 for emergency. If they call 000 and dont know where they are, the operator cant trace the call but if you call 112 then they can get a satelite pinpoint on where you are if the child doesnt know or if the phone drops out.

[Rouge]

Also you can do this:

http://kids.triplezero.gov.au/

[flyingk8]

I am pretty sure you can still call 112 on a mobile even if it is locked, so you can still teach your kids, without giving then the pin-code to your phone!