Parents are strongly encouraged to start teaching children early how to respond in an emergency. Learning to recognize an emergency, remain calm, and call for help is vital to keeping them safe.

Whether at home, at school, or out in the community, these skills give children the confidence to act quickly and responsibly.

Children as young as four or five can begin to learn basic safety skills and how to respond to different situations. Whether it’s a medical emergency, fire, or suspicious activity, having a plan builds confidence and preparedness.

• Teach children that helping in an emergency is important, but their safety comes first—they should never put themselves in danger.
• Show them how to dial 911, explain when to call, and ensure they can give key details such as the type of emergency, full names, address, and a parent or guardian’s phone number.
• Role-play scenarios (e.g., injury, fire in the home, stranger at the door) and walk through the steps they should take.
• Make sure they know how to exit the house safely, where to meet outside, and who to contact if they can’t reach you.
• Help them recognize trusted people in a crisis, such as police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts near the phone or on the fridge for quick access during stressful moments.

Revisit your emergency plan regularly, treating it as a normal part of staying safe—just like wearing a seatbelt or looking both ways before crossing the street. Familiarity with these procedures can greatly reduce panic or fear in a real emergency.

For more safety tips, follow the RCMP on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta.