In the United States, you call 911 for help. This is true as of November 2026. A 911 emergency is when someone needs help right away. Not every problem is a 911 emergency. Call only for a true one.

As of November 2026, you can call 911 if there is a fire. You can call if someone is choking. You can call if someone has trouble breathing. Helpers such as firefighters, police officers and paramedics can come.

A trained helper answers the phone. They ask what happened, where you are and who needs help. It is okay to trust the 911 operator and answer their questions.

It helps to know your home address and a grown-up's phone number by heart. Then you can tell the helper where to come.

A good plan starts with a smoke alarm. It warns you early if there is a fire. A fire escape plan means knowing two ways out of every room. A family picks a meeting place outside. Then everyone knows where to find each other.

In a fire, smoke rises. So drop down and crawl low, under the smoke, to your way out. Before you open a door, feel it. If it is hot, do not open it. Use another way out.

If there is a fire at home, get outside first. Then call 911, as of November 2026. Get out, stay out and call for help. Never go back inside for anything or anyone. Do not hide from firefighters. They want to find you.

If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Plans work for other emergencies too. In an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.

In an earthquake, stay inside if you are inside. Do not run outside, and do not stand in a doorway. In a tornado warning, go to a small room with no windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

Sometimes you may get lost. Find a helper, such as a store worker or a parent with kids. Ask them to help.

Words to know

• emergency: needs help now
• operator: 911 helper
• earthquake: shaking ground
• tornado: spinning storm
• escape: get out