9-1-1

Besides dealing most of the day, starting between 5am and 6am, with our schizophrenic freak neighbor whose wall-banging, profanity-laced tirades are becoming a daily occurrence, tonight another chapter in our interesting lives was written.

As far as the wack-job neighbor is concerned, he's been given 60 days to move and the police spent plenty of time in his house advising him of his disruptive behavior. So we're totally dealing with this nutcase and it's having a real affect here with everyone.

Anyhow, back to the story...

Kari was using one of my Guest Passes at 24 Hours Fitness getting in some walking while I had the kids. We were going to have a little treat: a bowl of ice cream! With Claire on the edge emotionally due to this freak-of-nature next door, it was probably one way to try and salvage a long, difficult day.

Claire took her bowl of ice cream and wanted to go upstairs. Suddenly, she dropped the bowl and it fell to the floor, breaking across the top of her right foot. Immediately, blood began rapidly dropping from her foot. I had Misters with a major load in his diaper to deal with, ice cream and a broken bowl on the floor, the phone ringing in the background, and when I got a look at the deep cut on Claire's foot that was bleeding profusely all over the kitchen floor, I had a decision to make.

Kari was at the gym with the only vehicle we have that works. So driving Claire somewhere quickly was not an option. I called Kari on her cellphone, but she was across town at the gym. It would take a good 10-15 minutes for her to get home. Claire needed attention now.

What would you do?

I did what I felt was right for Claire at the moment: dialed 9-1-1. The dispatcher helped me to apply pressure with a dry cloth to Claire's cut and further guided me in helping deal with the situation. She couldn't have been more helpful, and speaking of help, within 2 minutes, it had arrived. The County firefighter EMTs quickly dressed Claire's wound and had her calmed down and taken care of by the time that Kari finally arrived home.

I was able to keep Misters away from everything and clean up the mess. The EMTs all agreed that my calling 9-1-1 in this case was the *right* thing to do. I know, I have my First-Aid merit badge and my Eagle Scout training, but the whole poopy diaper, no car, blood everywhere, and general chaos at the moment seemed just a bit overwhelming. And it's not like I could expect my coo-coo neighbor to pitch in or anything.

Kari took Claire to the Emergency Room shortly after the fire engine drove off. Most likely, the EMTs said, it will probably require 1-3 stitches. It was more than just a little cut, in other words.

Epilogue (for now):

I was prompted to look up *when* to call 9-1-1 after this episode because Kari seemed surprised by the fact that I did. The website http://www.whitecounty-il.gov/911/whatis911.asp offers the following guidelines for 9-1-1. (I have highlighted what I think was important to note in this particular case.)

I am glad this day is coming to an end. I feel terrible for Claire. I know that she will be all right. We've got to make sure to help Claire enjoy the rest of this week!

WHAT IS 9-1-1?

Plain and simple----- 9-1-1 is a three-digit telephone number that you can call 24 hours a day for police, fire or emergency medical services. 9-1-1 saves valuable time in an emergency. According to nationwide statistics, it can take up to 2 1/2 minutes to find your telephone directory and another 30 seconds to locate the correct number. In an emergency, 3 minutes is a long time - time that can be saved by remembering to call 9-1-1!

WHEN TO CALL 9-1-1

In an emergency (when you believe that the immediate response of the police, a fire truck or an ambulance is needed).

Some examples of when to call 9-1-1:
· When you see fire or smoke.
· When you or someone with you is in danger.
· When you see a crime is being committed or has just occurred.
· When you believe that an ambulance is needed because someone is hurt or sick.
· When someone is trying to get in your house.
· When someone suspicious is prowling around your house or neighbors house.
· When a child is approached by a stranger.

WHEN NOT TO CALL 9-1-1

Some examples of when not to call 9-1-1:
· Do not call to ask for a phone number.
· Do not call just to see if “it works”.
· Do not call to obtain weather reports.
· Do not call to report utility problems (such as power outages, phone and water repairs).
· Do not call to ask for directions or road names.
· Do not call for general information pertaining to police reports, jails.
· Do not call to report your keys locked in your vehicle, unless someone is locked inside.
· Do not call to request an ambulance for non-emergency routine transports.

REMEMBER...9-1-1 is to be used for emergencies (when you believe that the immediate response of the police, a fire truck or an ambulance is needed).

For non-emergency law enforcement assistance, contact your local police department. (Numbers are listed in the telephone directories of the town or city the police department is located in.)