Child Called 9-1-1 - Minneapolis,MN

My 6 yr old did the same thing when he was that age. The police came, and asked me if everything was ok, I didn't know what they were talking about, and he said a 911 call had been made from our house. That's when he ran and hid in the bedroom. The officer asked to speak to him, and he explained that calling 911 is only for when someone really needs help, if they are hurt or a bad person in your home. I'm surprised the officer didn't have that talk with him, I'm sure it happens more often than we think.
Also, if he will be starting Kindergarden this Fall, if the Mpls school district offers anything like a "Safety Town" classes like we have here. They talk about numerous topics every day and using 911 is one of them. I think it was only $25, but worth every penny of it and the kids enjoy it so much.

There is a great book out there that was featured on Oprah for kids to let them know when to call 911. There are also coloring pages online you can print out and talk to him a bit more about what is appropriate. Do you have a friend who is a fire fighter, police officer or other 911 personal who could come and give him a talk?...I know my kids respond to other adults as opposed to myself with stuff like this. It is odd that the police officer didn't do it while he was there but maybe thought it was up to you to ask???
K. H.

I was trying to think, from a 4 year old's perspective, what might be the most fun about calling 911. I agree with others' comments and your own thoughts. But maybe part of the interest for him is that he gets to make a phone call (an easy number that he's learned and can remember) and have someone answer. Maybe it would help if he got to dial (with help from an adult) the phone number himself to talk to Grandma or someone else? Or maybe it's the play-acting an emergency that's interesting for him? So he could play act with toy fire engines, etc, rather than the real phone. Just a couple of ideas.

This is a toughie, because you want him to call 911 in the event of a real emergency.

I would explain to him that when people call 911 to be funny, they tie up the phone line and people who really need help won't get through. Somebody might be sick and need to go to the hospital, but they get a busy signal because kids are doing prank phone calls. Also, tell him that a police officer automatically comes out, and there might be someone else in town who really needs his help at the same time. Also, I've heard that if a house gets too many frivolous 911 calls, they can start to be charged. (I have no idea if that's true or not, but you could still tell him that!)

Explain to him what an "emergency" is: fire; if you (mommy) are passed out and there aren't other adults around, and so on....

The first thing I wondered after reading your post is how you handled him calling 911 at church. If you already talked to him and made it clear that this was not something he should be doing, then yes, I would say some sort of punishment is in order. Make it clear that you are not punishing him for calling 911, but that you are punishing him for calling 911 to be funny.