Tag Archives: police

Dial 9-1-1 for Fire, Police or Ambulance

Photo Credit: Taber Andrew Bain (Flickr)

Photo Credit: Taber Andrew Bain (Flickr)

Excerpt from Kids Health by Nemours

Emergencies don’t happen very often. But when they do, you want to get help fast. No one wants to spend time looking up the phone number. That’s why 911 was created — to make it easy. In the United States, dialing 911 on your phone is the fastest way you can get help for yourself or someone else.

Not too many years ago, people had to find the right phone number in an emergency. Today, it’s as simple as dialing 911. With those three numbers, you can reach the fire department, the police, or an ambulance. When you call 911, an emergency operator — called a dispatcher — immediately connects you to the person you need.

Speak slowly and clearly when you explain what’s happening. The 911 emergency dispatcher may ask you what, where, and who questions such as these:

  • What is the emergency?
  • What happened?
  • Where are you?
  • Who needs help?
  • Who is with you?
  • Are you safe where you are?

If you do have to call 911 in an emergency, be sure to stay on the phone. Do not hang up until the 911 operator tells you it’s OK to do so. That way, you can be sure that the operator has all the information to get help to you fast!

What To Do In A Car Accident

By Christine Connally

Whether you are you new to driving in the US or a seasoned driver, never drive without your drivers license and remember to keep other essential documents in the car glove box. These items will be necessary if you are stopped by a police officer or have an auto accident. Not having these items can result in your receiving a ticket (citation) from a police officer. If you are involved in an accident, call the police and your Host Family immediately.

Car accident

Photo: Morgan (Flickr)

Essential Documents

If you have an accident: (from Edmunds.com)

  1. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone’s safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
  2. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don’t tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
  3. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.