Would your kids know what to do if...

[Lowryn]

You were alone and had an accident and needed help?

I was pondering this last night as my DH is away in Wales on a course. I put DS to bed and was about to bath DD (3yrs) when I was distracted by something and walked into a wall. I cracked my head quite hard and felt sick. I went to bed that night with a headache and thought to myself what would happen if I didn't wake up in the morning, or fell down the stairs or something equally horrific.
What would DD do?
She can't reach the catch on the front door, she can't unlock the back door and I am not sure if she knows how to use our phone.

Should I teach her how to call 999?

[pixiefish]

have someone you trust on speed dial sp she only has to press 1 button. practice that with her

[helsy]

I agree with pixiefish. We have a five year old ad have taught her to use the memorised numbers and speed dial - my mum is 1, dh's mum is 2 and so on, and she was taught 999 in nursery.

[Lowryn]

Our phone is quite tricky. You have to press three different buttons for speed dial (not very speedy) I guess we will have a go tomorrow!
Better to phone my mum by accident than phone 999!

[RTKangaMummy]

if children not old enough top read

put a photo of granny etc with a coloured sticker on the wall and then put the same coloured sticker on the phone speed dial button

We have a list of people DS can ring but he is 9 years so different idea on the fridge.

We just got a set of 4 phones and one of them has all his friends and relatives and has DS name on the welcome screen.IYSWIM.

[bubble99]

Thanks Lowryn. I hadn't given this any thought. I've got two DS's (7 and 4) and twins due any time soon. We've had the 'if you get lost when we're out' chat, but not 'emergency in the home.' Well done for bringing this up.

[Fran1]

My 2 yr old managed to dial 999 unbeknown to me until a few minutes later i got a call to see if everything was ok in our household .

I think the suggestions to call family members is wise!!

[janinlondon]

Well don't do what I did, which was teach DD to dial 999 by pressing the buttons to show her while the handset was not lifted. I had NO idea that this still gets through to the emergency people, and felt a compete prat when they rang me straight away to ask if I was okay! On the plus side, she was the only kid at the fire station visit who knew what to do if there was a fire in your house - apparently gave them a lecture on it and they couldn't get her to shut up. Do you think I might have overdone it...?

[KathH]

we thought we were being very sensible responsible parents teaching our son when he was 4 to be able to ring 999 until he rang and told them i'd smacked his bottom and could they send the police round please. i then got a phone call asking if everything was ok and that i should be a more responsible parent and not let me son dial 999 willy nilly.

[Lowryn]

Once when we moved into a house we pressed a few buttons on our phone to see if it worked and accidentally called the police.
My DH told them it was a mistake and apologised and 10mins later a policeman came over!
He explained it was because the phone was registered soley in my name and a man had answered the phone so they had to make sure I was okay!
I was amazed and quite re-assured with this "service"