Reading Comprehension · Health & Safety
Emergencies and First Aid
A health and safety reading lesson about emergencies and first aid — covering when to call 911, how to stay calm, treating common injuries, fire safety, and what to keep in a home first aid kit.
Subject
Reading Comprehension
Grade Level
Grades 3–6
Format
Lesson + Printable PDF
Access
Full Member
What to Do in an Emergency
Do you know what to do if someone gets hurt? Do you know what to do in an emergency like a fire? If an emergency occurs, you need to act quickly but stay calm. In many places, you can call for help by dialing 911 on the phone right away. This is the number for emergencies. The person who answers the phone can tell you what to do to get help. If you have 911 services in your town, call that number first in any emergency.
When you speak to the emergency operator, it is important to speak slowly and clearly. Tell the operator your name, your address, and what the emergency is. Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. Keep a list of important phone numbers near every phone in your home, including the numbers for the fire department, the police, your doctor, and the poison control center. Knowing these numbers in advance could save a life.
Every home should have a first aid kit. A basic kit includes bandages of different sizes, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, gauze, scissors, tweezers, and a thermometer. Keep the kit in a place that is easy to find but out of the reach of very small children. Check the kit regularly to replace items that have been used or have expired.
Treating Injuries and Fire Safety
If someone is bleeding, cover the wound with a clean cloth and press firmly. Keep pressing until the bleeding slows. Do not remove the cloth — if it soaks through, add more cloth on top. For minor cuts, clean the wound with clean water, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage. For serious bleeding that does not stop, call 911 immediately.
Burns should be treated carefully. For minor burns, run cool water over the burn for at least ten minutes. Do not use ice, butter, or toothpaste — these can make a burn worse. Cover the burn loosely with a clean bandage. If someone swallows a cleaning product or any other chemical, call the poison control center immediately. Do not make the person vomit unless the poison control operator tells you to.
Fire safety is one of the most important things to know. If there is a fire, stay low and crawl out of the building, because smoke rises and the cleanest air is near the floor. Before opening a closed door, touch it first. If the door is hot, do not open it — find another way out. Once you are outside, stay outside. Never go back in for belongings. Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone or a cell phone. Practice a fire escape plan with your family so everyone knows what to do before an emergency happens.
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