Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Fabian. Fabian Wonders, “Has 911 always been an emergency number?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Fabian!
Aren't friends and family members great? They're always there for you when you need them. If you feel sick, they take you to the doctor or give you medicine to feel better. If you fall off your bike and skin your knee, they're there to help you clean up and put a bandage on your wound.
The world can be a dangerous place. There are all sorts of accidents that happen every day. From automobile accidents and fires to health problems and natural disasters, emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere.
Friends and family members are great to have around in case of an emergency. But what if you're alone and an emergency arises? Or what if the emergency happens to someone else and you're the person who needs to help? Do you know what to do in case of an emergency?
It's important to know what to do in various types of emergencies. How quickly you're able to call for help and assist those in need can make a big difference. Responding quickly to an emergency can even save lives!
In an emergency, the most important thing you can do is get help as quickly as possible. This might mean finding a nearby adult right away. Or it could also mean calling for help on the closest phone.
When calling for help, the number to remember is 9-1-1. If you ever need to call 9-1-1, make sure it's really for an emergency. Take a deep breath and just answer the questions the 9-1-1 operator will ask you. You will need to be able to explain the nature of the emergency, where you are located, and what type of help is needed.
The 9-1-1 operator may give you some instructions, so that you can be as much help as possible to those in need. Listen carefully. Don't hang up until the 9-1-1 operator says it's okay to do so.
It's important to remember your own limitations in case of an emergency. If you're not a doctor or a trained firefighter, you may cause more damage or make things worse in an emergency if you try to do things beyond your capabilities. That's why it's important to get help from qualified people as quickly as possible.
Sometimes, the best help you can be to those in need is simply to stay calm and help them stay calm. Let them know help is on the way and stay with them until help arrives. Be sure to be aware of your surroundings, though. You won't be any help at all if you end up getting injured, too!