Discovering the U.S.

Page 20

Emergency

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

DIAL 911

FOR FIRE, POLICE, AND AMBULANCE

Any time you are in serious danger or witness an accident or a crime, dial 911 immediately. If

possible, remain on the phone with the 911 operator until help arrives.

If the person calling 911 is unable to speak English, they can tell the operator what language

they speak. The 911 Operator can access an interpreter to assist with the translation. They will

ask for your name, address, and phone number so it is important to have this information

accessible to all members of your family.

Helpful Hint:

If you accidentally call 911, do not hang up; simply explain to the

operator the call was an accident. If you hang up, the operator will call you back

and unless you answer, police, fire, and emergency crews will automatically be

dispatched to your home to make sure there are no problems.

In the event a potentially dangerous substance is ingested, contact one the following:

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Animal Poison Control: 1-800-548-2423

Child Safety

In an attempt to ensure the safety of all children, the U.S. has developed child endangerment

laws on both the federal and state levels. The goal is to protect children by making it a crime to

knowingly or unknowingly place a child in a situation where his/her health and safety can be

compromised. While the specifics of child endangerment laws vary from state to state, the

following situations are typically identified as criminal under these laws as they are widely

considered to jeopardize a child’s health and safety: leaving a child unattended in a vehicle,

driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, leaving a young child unsupervised or in the

care of another young child, and leaving a young child unsupervised in an unsafe area.

Although these may be in conflict with other countries’ rules and regulations, it is important to be

mindful of these laws while in the U.S. as the penalties for being in violation may be severe

even in circumstances where parents are not meaning to do harm. Citizens are encouraged to

call authorities if they witness any child in a potentially dangerous situation.

To learn about your state’s child endangerment laws visit the Safe Kids USA website

Safe Kids USA is a nationwide network of organizations working to

prevent unintentional childhood injury. In addition to information about state laws, this website

also provides general safety practices and tips for families with children.