What age do you teach your kids about 999?

[Gemtubbs]

At what age do you think they understand what an emergency is and when it is appropriate to dial 999? Seen stories on the news over the years about young children saving a family member thanks to their quick thinking to call the emergency services.

I don't think you can define an age - its a matter of when you think an individual child is mature enough to understand the concept, physically manage the call, and have a good idea when and when not it would be appropriate to make such a call.

Ds made a 999 call aged 3 because he had heard a huge bang and was scared of the flames coming from Buncefield. Ds had an amazing view from his bedroom of the carnage.

I think it had to be my worse parenting moment. Thankfully the policeman who came round was very kind about it. He told Ds that the fireman and the police were putting out the fire. Our house was just outside the exclusion zone and there was glass in the street. It was understandable why a three year old scared.

However I think the emergency services needed that call like a hole in the head.

As a police dispatcher I'd far rather take a 999 like the one Reallytired's child made rather than from the countless ridiculous calls from idiots with no credit on mobiles with no credit who use 999 because it's free!
In a 10hour shift I lose count of the times I have to say that the treble 9 is for accident and emergency, not accident emergency and I've no credit

Girls who are Brownies are taught about 999 calls - they are aged between 7 and 10 - dont know if that helps

We're a one woman, one boy household and the one woman has a tendency to do daft things like shinning up ladders, operating chainsaws or climbing onto the conservatory roof to give it a clean... . DS has therefore had the 999 information since about age 6 with strict instructions that it is only for serious emergencies like fire, or if Mum falls off a ladder (only a matter of time). HTH

Our friend's son was taught 999 at school when he was in reception (this was a while ago now!) and he didn't believe the teacher, so decided to try it for himself at home...bit of a shock for his parents when a fire engine turned up at the house!

I agree with Grimma - if they can understand when it is appropriate to call/not call, then it's the right time.

DD1 who is 5 had a fireman/policeman come into her school and explain it all to the class. When she came home she half explained when to call 999 to DD2 (4).

DD2 didnt fully understand, and when I stubbed my toe in the garden one day, DD2 ran off into the house to call an ambulance (I was too busy nursing my poor toe). Got a bit suspicious when I came into the house to hear someone saying 'Yes, yes there is a tiny bit of blood.. which is everywhere! Im not sure whether she is 'breeding' or not.. No shes not talking to me because shes in the garden' - snatched phone off DD and apologised profusely to caller.
didnt even know that she knew how to use the phone

I didn't want to tell her to never do it again - because you never know, she might have to one day. Instead we just sat down and tried explaining when she should ring 999 - but not to just run off and do it herself, she should ask adult or DD1 first (if I can't). Isn't easy when DD2 gets very excitable and hyperactive about 'saving someones life'.

I've heard stories before when someone 2YO has called 999 because the mum has collapsed or something - makes me wonder how you explain that to a child of that age! My DTrips are 2 and I can easily imagine them trying to ring police on toy phone to tell them that I'm not letting them have a second biscuit...

My little sister rang the police when she was about 5 as she'd had an argument with my mum as she wouldn't get in the bath before bed. Apparently she'd said that her mummy had 'said lots of bad, nasty things' and that she was scared etc. cue a police officer turning up a while later. Mum was so embarrassed. I laugh about it now but now I'm a parent I'd be mortified if dd ever did that to me

My daughter accidently called 999 when she was about 22months - very embarassing but gave us the chance to talk about using the phone!!

She can now recognise numbers (aged4) and was always saying not to press 999. So I catually taught her how to do it. She is very clear aobut not pressing the buttons. We have also said she shouldn't do it if there is an adult who can do it instead. but she knows if she has to call then she must give her name and try and give her address.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think my duaghter was ready to learn it. Not sure my wee boy will be though

DD knew at age 3 having picked it up from something on TV (Fireman Sam probably). When he was just gone 4 I came into the room to find her on the phone saying "hello I'm practising just in case". Luckily 999 lady was very nice about it but did explain to DD after I'd twigged what was going on , grabbed phone an profusely apologised that it really was only for emergencies and NOT for practicing on!! DD did not need a lecture from me after that as it was made abundantly clear to her it was not on (though in a very nice way)

DD is 4, nearly 5 and knows about 999. DH is a police officer so has always been vaguely aware but at about 3.5 we explained it clearly.

Good thread - excellent to hear what others think.

DD is a very sensible child with a fairly good vocab and could recognise numbers, so we taught her about 999 at aged 2.5 as i was terrified of doing something like falling down the stairs, huting myself badly, and her being locked in the house. I taught her our address at the same time.

Now she is 4 she also knows our telephone number and how to differentiate properly between police/fire/ambulance and we talk about it a fair bit and play games where she is the fire person/ambulance person etc on her super saver skateboard and i am the caller (sat on the garden bench with a glass of wine). We often extend this to her also being the emergency vet

But I agree to making sure your child is responsible enough not to just try out calling the number!