Parents in Gedling borough are being asked to take time over the summer holidays to sit and talk to their children about how to call 999 in an emergency.
This summer, the East Midlands Ambulance Service are asking parents to make sure children know how to call 999, their home address and also how to open the front door in an emergency.
Alison Crowe, Service Delivery Manager for our 999 control room, said: “Teaching your child the right reason to call 999 could save your life.
“As the summer holidays begin, we are asking parents to make sure they take five minutes to sit down with their children and explain when to call 999, especially if an adult is not awake.
“It is important that children know their address and postcode so that if they need to call 999 we can get an ambulance to them as quickly as possible.”
A video has been produced by the EMAS to show how two five-year-olds called 999 when they found their mums collapsed at home.
Emergency call handler Bethany Tidmarsh explained the best way to broach the subject of calling 999 is when an ambulance goes past, when they see one on TV, or even when they hear sirens.
She said: “It is important that they know that calling 999 is not a scary thing to do as we are here to help and we will stay on the phone with them until the ambulance arrives.”
Activity books and colouring sheets to help teach children how to call 999 are available on our website
