I don't want to scare GC

I still have a landline, and one day we practiced calling their Mum, and they do know about 911 emergency line.

This is a good reminder that I should have a practice session with them.

Also, to teach them how to use the 'emergency' button on a locked cell phone, since that is what most of their parents have. I had to look it up myself.

Grateful thanks for so many helpful responses, everyone.

After the recent, unexpected death of my husband, it got me thinking about what my twin grandsons would do if I was incapacitated for some reason.
Thanks to Beavers, they knew how to put someone in the recovery position and that when calling the emergency services you should stay on the line so that the call could be traced.
They didn't know my address or how to operate my old phone however.
We worked out a list of things to do and I typed it up for them. It is now by the telephone.
They also had a crash course in using the phone.
They know they can call the next door neighbours for help too.
It may never happen but if it did, I'm now more confident that the boys know what to do.

Hithere, think the topic is more about a sudden , out of the blue emergency! Can happen, no matter your health.
I used have a card with 3 or 4 important numbers on it, sitting beside the phone - their mums work, other granny , other daughter and when i was looking after them ,they used to 'practice' phoning them . We talked about what to do if I happened to 'fall' and I hope they maybe would realise what to do .
They're much bigger now , but at the time I worried less about them panicking and not knowing what to do .

MissAdventure

I would ask what your grandchild knows, first.

You may be surprised at what children pick up from the tv, books, and probably the internet.

Yes.
My mum was thinking about how to deal with this as she often had my young son overnight.
Then she asked him what he'd do if she fell and couldn't get up. "Phone 999" he replied and she realised that he was right as it would indeed be an emergency, if that had happened.

He knew what to do as I had told him, realising that I, a mum on my own with a child and a baby, could have a sudden illness or injury and he'd need to know what to do.

I agree it can happen at any age. I almost choked a few months ago, when I was at home alone with my DGS. One of the thoughts that flashed through my mind was that he'd be stuck in the house with my body if I died. Scary!

Small children often ring the emergency services for help when it’s needed. Seems sensible to me to teach any child what to do, fairly easy to do as part of a game. That way it’s not a scary thing in the unlikely case that it has to be done for real.

Elrel - that used to be one of my biggest fears, when I had my oldest GC , to stay overnight and I was 15/ 16 years younger. Another fear was that they would be ill and I would be fast asleep. As a result, I hardly had a wink of sleep, when they stayed over.

MissAdventure

Not really.
It's going to happen to us all sooner or later.

It's part of life.

I agree.

Parents themselves could be diabetic or have epilepsy or severe allergies which could render them unconscious - should they not be allowed to have children in case they have a sudden exacerbation of their condition?

There have been instances where very young children have been trained to call 999 unlock doors etc I think it is a very good idea for a child of 5/6/7 to know these things and you can do it in such a fun way
An emergency can happen in any situation a healthy robust person can trip and knock themselves unconscious

A child of that age should know the address and how to use a phone no need to make it frightening it can be fun

Not really.
It's going to happen to us all sooner or later.

It's part of life.

One thing is an emergency- can happen to anyone

Having health reasons for an emergency to happen - different scenario

Should I show them how to make an emergency call on my landline? Obviously I could put my postcode next to the phone

Yes, that's a good idea, as long as they don't practise like my DGS did, aged 3! He had a nice chat with the operator who then rang back and DD was able to reassure them all was well.

I think making neighbours aware of the possibility would be a good idea too. Choose a couple of neighbours who are helpful and reliable.

Hithere an emergency could occur in fit, well people with a slip or fall
I had an accident when I was alone in the house; I'm sure a 6 year old could have helped by phoning 999 or alerting a neighbour.

I discussed this situation with my daughter and then we went through our own agreed scenarios with the grandchildren a few years ago when the eldest was about 8. We also covered ‘getting out of the house if there was a fire’, both were not covered at the same time. Sensible plans, the children moved on quickly, playing or whatever they were doing.
Hithere an emergency could occur in fit, well people with a slip or fall.

Great minds think alike.

Snap MissAdventure !

Hithere
No, I wouldnt put this much responsibility in a child this young.

I wouldn't have child overnight if I thought an emergency situation may happen

An emergency situation can happen to anyone, young or old.

Anyone can have an emergency situation occur.

Harsh Hithere. Life isn’t really that simple.
My cousin had brain damage after a road traffic accident. He’d short term memory problems and despite good meds, occasionally fitted. He was prime carer for their child as his wife was the wage earner. Their daughter could dial 999 at age 3 and did. The family were matter of fact about it, she’s 3G now with children of her own. They’re a close, secure family

Lots of good advice. This reminded me of a little boy who phoned 112, a European emergency number, when his Mum had slipped into a diabetic coma. This number was on his toy ambulance. Luckily this went through to the correct number and all was well.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-53921514

Sorry, I read gc is 6.

No, I wouldnt put this much responsibility in a child this young.

I wouldn't have child overnight if I thought an emergency situation may happen

Health conditions

I know we don’t want young children having unfettered access to mobile phones. But from aged 5 or 6 I allowed my grandchildren supervised access to my mobile for a short period each time they were in my care ( which was at least 2 nights a week) to look at family photos and video clips.

Also during their stay I’d hand them my phone and allow them to make a video call to their parents. If parents were at work they’d call their cousins for a video chat.

I’ve never at anytime said to them this is what you do in an emergency, although that was why I was encouraging them to be able to access their parents on my phone. But I know they are smart enough to do just that if the need arose.

How old are they?

I would rethink the overnights if your health do not allow them

I taught this age group and they are perfectly capable of learning what to do in an emergency. Just tell them your address is next to the phone.

In fact I’m pretty certain your GC knows to phone 999. They even played doing this in the Nursery class!