Acting In Emergencies and Finding Information

We have reached the age where we are inundated with facts. The computer brings so much to our desktop that sometimes it is overwhelming. The Internet, although a wonderful resource, does not always offer the correct information and is not accessible to everyone. It also requires a great amount of searching to find those illusive facts. It is a time consuming process to locate information on the Internet, but we all need information every day. Most adults learned, way before computers, how to find the facts they needed. We were taught how to use various resources from the phone book to the library. We were fairly knowledgeable about who might have that information we needed. I believe this has changed. Does your teen know how to find the information he needs to function in everyday life?

A life skill that is valuable is knowing how to access information when you need it. I repeat the computer is a wonderful source, but sometimes doing things the original way is necessary. There are some basic resources your teen should know about.

As little children we teach kids how to report their name and address and phone number and parent's name to those in authority who need it to help your kids. When they are lost, they can report this info to the policeman. If they see an accident or witness a fire, they know to call 911. This is as far as we often go. Teens need to know more.

Teenagers have a knack for getting themselves into jams. This stems from their newfound freedom, emotions that sometimes overrun common sense, and their belief that they are somehow immortal. They take more chances; tests limits, and just don't always think.

If a teen is involved in a car accident does he know what to do? Can he offer basic first aid to others that are injured, does he know the steps one should take when an accident occurs. Can he call the police, an ambulance, and rescue team and explain in detail where he is located and what the problem is. Does he know what reports to file when he is the driver involved in an accident?

Does your teen know how to help and respond while swimming when a person appears to be drowning or in distress? Does he know to throw something else in other than himself to rescue the person?

Your teen is home alone and the phone rings and it's a threatening phone call. Now what does he do? Or maybe it's just the water pipe that burst; can he shut off the water? Does he know what to do if there is a gas leak, or all the lights go out.

Now, that we have every parent scared about their teens home alone, let's move on to other types of information. Every teenager should by that age know how to locate information about most things that he will need in life. A teen should know how to apply for a job, who to contact if he becomes jobless, and where to read about his rights as an employee.

College bound students need to learn all about career possibilities, financial aid, how to locate scholarship information, and how to find the proper person to call about student housing. When they leave the nest, they may need to learn about the rights and responsibilities of renters. They must know how to look up the laws that effect their decision to enter into a contract, or buy a vehicle.

Do they know enough about the laws to keep themselves on the right side of it? Many teens believe the laws do not apply to them and when they find themselves in serious trouble, they complain. But when they say ignorance of the law is no excuse, they mean it. If your teen will travel to another country, make sure they know their laws very well since many people believe the laws are the same everywhere. These are the same young people who are imprisoned in other countries for what we in this country consider minor offenses.

Introduce your children to all resources you know about at as early an age as possible. They should know what is contained in the library, the courthouse, and the White House. They must know how to look up agencies in the phone book, find zip codes, and locate street addresses. I remember some young man who could not find addresses since he didn't know odd numbers were on one side and even on the other.

With the help of computers, we seldom need card catalogs at the library, but that is a shame. I believe the Internet has done one unfortunate thing and that is to keep folks out of the library. They believe they can find it all online and soon they will. But before that happens, teach teens about all the library has to offer and how to utilize its wonderful assets.

Can your teen apply for a social security card on his own, make a reservation for dinner, or find his way to the next county using a map? These seem like minor, unimportant tasks until you need them. A parent has many opportunities to teach the art of finding information. We look up phone numbers and resources everyday. Share these with your teen. Help them learn where to start to look for information and how to proceed until they find it.

Knowing what to do and how to find information can save a life, make it an easier, more enjoyable one, or help your teen reach new heights. These are important skills; make sure your teen has them.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel