Thankfully, I can count on one hand the number of times I have called or been in the presence of someone who has called 911. Actually, I think it was one time. And thank God for that.
But as my children have grown, safety and what to do in times of emergency has been in the forefront of my mind, and I know I’m not doing a good job at educating them or making sure that we as a family are prepared for the worst.
That became blatantly clear when my oldest daughter attended a field trip to the fire station two years ago in preschool where they asked the kids, “what number do you call if there’s an emergency?” As I looked at the blank stare on her face, it dawned on me that I had never taught my child to dial 911… and then I realized, not only do I need to teach her to remember “911,” but I would need to teach her how to use my cell phone (which is locked with a passcode) because we don’t have a landline. And then I remembered stories I had heard from years back about how it is difficult for 911 operators to find your location when calling from a cell phone.
Here’s a shocking fact: According to an investigation by the USA Today [http://usat.ly/28L5wzD], the chances of 911 dispatchers being able to find you based on your cell phone’s GPS can be as low as 10% in some parts of the country. With a significant share of cell phone-to-911 calls being placed from within residences—and 45% of Americans opting out of landline coverage at home—countless people are left vulnerable in emergencies.
With so many people doing away with landlines these days, this seems like a pretty good reason to keep one. But instead of paying a monthly fee to the phone company, I recently learned about Ooma, which offers leading Internet home phone service with reliable E911 technology. Ooma offers reliable landline service for a lower cost with some major bonuses like registering your address with 911 and sending auto text messages to up to three saved contacts when 911 is dialed.
In the spirit of keeping you and your family safe, I recently partnered with Ooma to deliver three tips for prepping your family to be prepared for an emergency, in addition to owning a landline.
TIP #1: KEEP A FIRST AID KIT AT THE READY
Whether it’s for a small scrape or something far worse, it’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit handy. People who call 911 from their cell phone are often surprised at how long emergency workers take to arrive on scene. According to the recent Ooma.com 911 Emergency Response Study, more than one in five cell phone callers feel it takes too long—that’s seven times higher than for people who call from a landline. If you’re often in situations when only a cell phone is available, consider keeping a first aid kit nearby.
TIP #2: WRITE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Make sure that no matter where you are, it’s easy for the people around you to call your emergency contacts. Consider posting your own number, as well as first response numbers, on your fridge so your kids know how to reach you and your family, family members who live close by, or the authorities. Post the name and number of a trusted friend or neighbor, too. With Ooma’s home phone system, up to three of these contacts can be notified by text message automatically when a 911 call is placed. In situations when every second counts, this reliable Internet-based technology could save tens of thousands of lives.
TIP #3: RECOGNIZE THE FIRST SIGNS OF DANGER
Educate your kids about the sights, smells, and sounds of danger. If they hear a smoke alarm or see an appliance overheating, advise your children to get outside as quickly as possible. Planning an exit strategy is key to getting a safe distance away from the house so you can alert a neighbor and have them call the fire department. Consider making a detailed fire plan with multiple escape routes and keeping a printed copy of your fire plan on visible walls around your house.
For many people, money is understandably a legitimate concern—but when it comes down to it, we really can’t put a price on ensuring that the people we love are safe. Luckily, first aid kits are both lightweight and budget-friendly, while the price of a secure Ooma landline pays for itself in just three months and costs less than a Netflix subscription on a monthly basis.
This summer is the perfect time to prep your kids on what to do in case of emergency. And maybe it’s a good time for us to think about how we, as parents, can prepare our homes as well. If you’ve been putting it off, make it a point to address it head-on this summer.
Got any 911 emergency stories of your own? Have you spoken with your kids about emergencies and what to do in case of one? It’s never too late to start.
Learn more about Ooma at ooma.com, on Facebook or on Twitter.
