Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor

Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 4, 2001

Contact: Jan Stegelman, 785-296-1223

Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition Celebrates National 9-1-1 Day at the State Fair

Would your child know how to recognize an emergency and call for help? In an effort to make sure more Kansas kids are ready for an emergency the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition will be celebrating National 9-1-1 day during the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson on September 11. The Coalition has partnered with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, Kansas Emergency Services, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Matchbox Cars to promote the safety of children and to teach Kansas kids how to use and not abuse the national 9-1-1 emergency response systems. National 9-1-1 day also recognizes and honors real life heroes who risk their lives every day in emergency rescue situations.

" We are providing the opportunity for kids to prepare for real life situations by providing a 9-1-1 simulation for kids at the Sunflower Building during the entire week of the Kansas State Fair," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition. "We encourage all parents, even if you are unable to attend the special simulation at the fair, to take the opportunity on September 11 to teach your child how to properly react during an emergency situation and how to use 9-1-1 in your area."

Children that complete the simulation at the fair will receive a magnet and Matchbox Emergency Rescue Vehicle Poster. The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition will also distribute a brochure with tips for caregivers, tips for children, and tips for children and parents to follow together . The brochure includes a 9-1-1 phone sticker that serves as a handy reminder. Additional fire safety information will be available from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

• Post emergency phone numbers next to all the phones in your home in a location where children can see the numbers clearly.
• Make sure children memorize their home address and telephone number.
• Make sure children know the name and phone number of an adult to call in case of an emergency.
• Teach kids how and when to dial 9_1_1 (or your local emergency numbers).
• Have a complete first aid kit in your home.
• Keep any family member's special medical needs and health insurance information handy.
• In case of an emergency, have two escape routes from your home and an outside meeting place.
• Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street.

• Teach children about the importance of 9-1-1 and the dangers of misusing it.
• Explain that while emergencies are rare, sometimes they do happen.
• Talk about the different kids of emergencies...drowning, poisoning, fire, and unconsciousness, etc.
• Describe different types of emergency personnel and how they can help.
• Take children to visit open houses at fire departments and hospitals.
• Use toys, like play phones and Matchbox vehicles, to role-play emergency situations.
• Remind your children to always make sure that they keep themselves safe in an emergency situation. Children should tell an adult about an emergency, but if there is no adult, call 9-1-1.

• Be calm
• Wait for the dial tone
• Dial 9-1-1 or "0" for Operator
• Tell the emergency person what is wrong. Speak Clearly.
• Give your name, address and phone number
• Don’t hang up until the other person hangs up.
• Never make prank calls to 9-1-1.

Additional information is available for kids and parents through promotions on the Matchbox and SAFE KIDS web sites (www.Matchbox.com and www.safekids.org).

The Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit group of 67 statewide organizations and businesses that have joined to protect Kansas children from unintentional injury -- the leading killer of Kansas kids. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Barber, Clay, Ford, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Osage, Pottawatomie, and Shawnee Counties, as well as Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Salina, and Wichita. Kansas SAFE KIDS is part of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.