I have been meaning to do this with Addie but after falling yesterday, I did it this morning. Using an index card, I wrote the following and stuck the card in the top drawer of the stand by the front door:
911 – and our address here
Grumps – his phone number
Mom – Nicole’s phone number
Dad – Chad’s phone number
Jeremy – The guy we bought the house from who only lives 5 minutes away – his number
Two Neighbors’ Numbers
I went over with her the importance of staying calm, speaking slowly and clearly, giving as much information to whomever she calls as she can – Is Granny bleeding? Is she breathing? Can she come to the phone?
I told her to turn the porch lights on but keep the door locked til someone arrives – that the 911 people will probably stay on the phone with her til help arrives.
I wrote down the number of two neighbors in case I should have to be taken away before Chad or Nicole could get here. I would feel fine about Addie staying with either neighbor.
I hope it’s something she never has to use but it is information that would be very nice to have if she ever needs it. I tried to explain it to her in a way that doesn’t cause panic. She seemed a bit excited because both neighbors she might call have pools. She wanted to know if they take me to the hospital, can she bring Boots home with her. Kids!!
Once Vince is here full time, this won’t be nearly so important but for now, we need a plan.
Liz says
Great idea – just make another card for downstairs, in case something happens in the sewing room. Addie may not want to run up to get the card and then back down to be on the 911 call to answer questions about your status. You may want to add directions on how to get to the back entry way (which way, left or right side of the house, is easier to get to with equipment).
Judy Laquidara says
She has to go upstairs anyway. Phones don’t work down there. We’re rural enough that the phones barely work upstairs. You can only come in downstairs through the garage. We keep a barricade type thing on the French doors in the sewing room and Addie probably couldn’t open those.
Kathy C says
Great idea for preparing a young person. They like to know they will be able to help. We made our kids learn their home phone and address, parents’ and grandparents’ names before they were allowed to go on vacation with their grandparents.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s very smart! Addie’s bus got in an accident one day and the only phone number she knew to give them was mine – I was in Texas!
Marsha B says
Good idea! It would be helpful to have all the important info, name, address, phone #’s, directions to the house and how to enter, for anyone. I know if something happened at my house, I may be too upset to remember the numbers, etc. so, if it were written down it would be easy for me or anyone to grab and use when the call for help is made. Having it to read is so much better than trying to remember in an emergency.
montanaclarks says
Michael and I both carry a card in our wallets listing our address and emergency contact information, especially when we are in AZ as our drivers license are from Montana. Emmi is sometimes home alone and I want someone to know she is here if something should happen to the two of us. When we rode a motorcycle together I was even more religious about having that card in our wallets!
Diana says
great idea but kids…. like if you’re going in the hospital (anyway) can I have your tv, computer , cat (insert here)_______
Judy Laquidara says
Yes! She already said “Can I just keep your cell phone?” I wanted to say “If I’m dead . . yes! If I’m not dead . . no!”
Linda in NE says
It’s good for kids to have that type of instruction. Our youngest grandchildren were learning what to do in an emergency in school and on a visit to the fire dept. They had already learned how to use the cell phones at home and facetiming with whatever parent was at work. It all came in handy when our little six year old grandson was home from school not feeling well. In the afternoon he found his dad unresponsive in his chair. He was able to facetime his mom at work to try to get help. It was too late but he stayed calm enough to make the call and her coworkers bundled her into their car to head home while one of them called the rescue unit which beat them to the house by several minutes. One of the young police officers had my grandson sit in his patrol car and talked to him until my son-in-law got there to take charge of him. We never know what will happen and kids need to know how to get help when needed and know who it’s OK to stay with until family can come for them. Now, get this….when I asked my grandson what he wanted for his birthday he said all he wanted was a policeman outfit. That young officer who helped him that awful day made a huge impression on him and he will grow up liking and respecting police officers.
Rosalie says
Also important to keep your phone with you when you are alone!
Judy Laquidara says
Phones don’t work here in the basement so I don’t take it with me there because I’m afraid I’ll put it down somewhere and not be able to find it since it has no service. I’ve been trying to keep my phone with me with Vince not here but I’m pretty bad about doing that.
Sharon says
What about a landline? Might be handy in an emergency.
Judy Laquidara says
Goodness, no. If I had my way, I’d get rid of the cell phones too.
Nelle Coursey says
Very good idea. She should have this at home as well. Not that anything is going to happen but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Marsha says
It would be helpful to have card for emergency responders. Name doctor allergies medicines medical problems. I keep my list on refrigerator
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t take any meds and usually see a nurse practitioner at a walk in clinic to get orders for a mammogram and annual bloodwork so I don’t even need to do that.