ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Emergency telephone number

Okay kiddo, imagine you are in a really scary situation and you need help from someone really fast. Maybe you're lost, hurt, or there's a fire or bad people around you.

Well, there's a special phone number you can call anytime, day or night, that will connect you directly to people who can help you. It's called the emergency telephone number and it's usually just three numbers: 9-1-1 in the United States.

When you call 9-1-1, you'll hear a special person on the other end of the line who is called an operator. They are really good at talking to people and figuring out exactly what kind of help you need. They might ask you some questions like where you are, what's going on, and if you're okay.

Once the operator knows what's happening, they will quickly send the right kind of helpers to you. For example, if there's a fire, they'll call the fire department and send them to put out the flames. If you're hurt or sick, they'll call an ambulance to come take you to the hospital.

It's really important to know that you should only call 9-1-1 for real emergencies. That means when you are really scared or in danger and need help right away. If you accidentally dial the number, don't hang up. Just tell the operator it was a mistake.

So remember, the emergency telephone number is like a special phone number you can call when you really, really need help fast. Just dial 9-1-1 and someone will be there to help you as soon as possible.