Parents, use the following tips when teaching your children the proper way to use 9-1-1 for reporting emergencies:

• Never say "nine eleven." There is no eleven on a telephone keypad or dial. Always say "nine-one-one."
• Always call from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get out first and then call.
• Post your address near the phone.
• Never call 911 as a prank or joke. You could be keeping someone who really needs help from getting it in time. You can also get into trouble.
• 911 is not for animal emergencies. Call your vet or Brainerd Animal Control at 218-820-6288.
• Call 911 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation to the dispatcher.
• If you call 911 by mistake, don't hang up. Explain the mistake to the dispatcher and say there is no emergency.