Children need to know to dial 000
PARAMEDICS are reminding parents to spend a few extra minutes with their children explaining how and when to dial 000.
Warwick paramedic Jamie Taylor said it was extremely important children of all ages were competent enough to react in an emergency.
"It's so important, because every second counts," Mr Taylor said.
He said showing kids which buttons to press on the phone was only the first step.
"If they ring 000 off a home phone, it will come up with the address making the call, but from mobiles, it comes up as the billing address of the account holder," Mr Taylor said.
This can be problematic if the account holder lives at another address, or if you are on holidays.
"Ensure (the children) know where you are, your home address, and know the address of the unit or place where you're staying if on holidays," Mr Taylor said.
He said explaining to children what to say when the operator answered the call was vital.
"Parents need to explain that if someone is hurt it's an ambulance, if there is a fire it's the fire brigade and if it's criminal then they need police," Mr Taylor said.
More info
To better prepare yourself and your children about phoning 000 in an emergency, visit qld.gov.au.
