Most parents have talked with their children about fire drills, strangers and what to do if they get separated in a public place.

But there is another question worth asking:

If your child had to call 911 without you, would they know what to say?

For families in Breckenridge Park, a few simple pieces of emergency information can make a big difference — and some of them may be less obvious than people realize.

Did you know your child should know their home address?

Knowing how to dial 911 is only part of the lesson.

Children old enough to use a phone should also know:

• Their full name
• Their home address
• Their parent or guardian's name
• At least one parent's phone numberHow to describe where they are if they are not at home

For younger children, that may take repetition. Parents can practice casually at home by asking, “What would you tell 911 if I needed help?”

The goal is not to scare children. It is to make the information familiar.

Did you know most 911 contacts now come from wireless phones?

Greater Harris County 9-1-1 data for 2025 shows that 91.53% of voice and text contacts came from wireless phones.

That makes smartphone safety part of family emergency preparedness.

Parents may want to show older children how to unlock the emergency-call screen, where the phone's Emergency SOS feature is located and how to avoid activating it accidentally.

Even an old wireless phone without active service may still be able to call 911, so phones given to children for games or videos should still be treated as devices capable of reaching emergency services.

Did you know texting 911 is an option?

Greater Harris County 9-1-1 offers Text-to-911 throughout its service area, including Harris and Fort Bend counties.

The rule is simple: Call if you can. Text if you can't.

Text-to-911 may be appropriate when speaking would be unsafe or impossible, including certain domestic violence situations, active threats or for someone with a hearing or speech impairment.

To text 911, enter 911 as the recipient and send the location, whether police, fire or medical help is needed and a brief description of the emergency.

For older children and teens in Breckenridge Park, knowing that option exists may be valuable — but families should also reinforce that calling remains the fastest way to reach 911 when speaking safely is possible.

Did you know the first thing 911 needs is your location?

During an emergency, people often want to begin by explaining everything that happened.

But one of the most important pieces of information is where the emergency is happening.

Parents can help children practice saying their address slowly and clearly.

If they are somewhere else, children can be taught to look for clues such as:

• A street sign
• A house number
• A store or restaurant name
• A school name
• A nearby landmark

That simple habit can help a telecommunicator determine where responders need to go.

Did you know children should stay on the line?

Children may assume they should call 911, explain the problem and hang up.

Instead, they should stay connected and answer the telecommunicator's questions until they are told it is OK to disconnect.

One of the easiest family safety lessons is: Call. Say where you are. Explain what happened. Stay on the line.

Did you know 911 is not for every problem?

Children — and adults — should understand that 911 is for situations requiring immediate police, fire or medical assistance.

Examples include a serious medical emergency, a fire, a crime in progress or a situation where someone may be in immediate danger.

It should not be used for routine problems such as power outages, potholes, traffic-light outages, pet emergencies or general information.

If someone truly is unsure whether a situation is an emergency, Greater Harris County 9-1-1 advises calling and allowing the telecommunicator to determine what assistance is needed.

A simple family 911 drill

Families in Breckenridge Park do not need an elaborate emergency plan to begin preparing.

A five-minute conversation at the dinner table can cover the basics:

• Ask children what number they would call in an emergency.
• Ask them to say their home address.
• Show them where the emergency-call function is on a phone.
• Explain the kinds of situations that really require 911.
• And remind them that they are never “in trouble” for calling 911 during a genuine emergency.

Parents can repeat the conversation every few months, especially after moving, changing phone numbers or when children begin staying home alone.

One more thing parents may want to check tonight

Modern smartphones and smartwatches can sometimes contact emergency services automatically through SOS features.

That can be lifesaving — but it can also lead to accidental calls.

Parents may want to review Emergency SOS settings on family devices and explain to children what those buttons do before they are pressed by mistake.

Greater Harris County 9-1-1 recommends keeping phones locked when not in use and becoming familiar with emergency features on smartphones and wearables.

The takeaway for families

The most important emergency information is also some of the simplest.

Know when to call 911. Know your location. Stay on the line. And make sure the children in your home know those things, too.

For Breckenridge Park families, practicing those basics before an emergency happens can turn unfamiliar instructions into something a child already knows how to do.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more family safety information, emergency preparedness tips and local public safety updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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