Important Numbers to Keep by Your Phone

Look up the numbers below before you need them (most emergency numbers are on the first page of your local phone book) and keep them near your home telephone. To make sure emergency numbers are easy to find when you need them, laminate a list and attach it to the refrigerator, or tape it inside a cabinet door near the phone. Include important information that anyone calling from your home would need to report in an emergency, such as your street address and phone number.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

1. 911. This number should only be used when you need immediate assistance from the police, the fire department, or an ambulance. If you’re tempted to use it for less serious reasons, imagine getting a 911 busy signal if you or a family member needed immediate help. Teach your children how to dial 911 and make sure they know how to give their home address.

2. Police emergency. Most cities have a number to call other than 911 for situations that are urgent, but non-life-threatening, such as traffic accidents.

3. Police nonemergency. This number is for occasions when you want to report stolen or vandalized property or any matter that requires a police report, but doesn’t require immediate response.

4. Work telephone and cell phone. Even if your children have these numbers memorized, it’s a good idea to have them posted in case they forget, or if anyone else needs to reach you in an emergency.

5. Fire department. In case of fire, call 911. When neither life nor property is immediately threatened—if you smell something burning, but can’t confirm a fire—use the nonemergency number.

6. Poison control center.

7. Doctor and pediatrician.

8. Dentist.

9. Veterinarian.

10. Emergency vet information. The University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana offers twenty-four-hour poison control help for animals for a $30 fee at 800-548-2423. Ask your own veterinarian what other emergency numbers you should have on hand, including the nearest twenty-four-hour emergency clinic for off-hour emergencies. (Make sure you know where the clinic is, and how to get there.)

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS

1. Electrician.

2. Plumber.

3. Neighbor. List at least one who would be available to come over if needed. You may know your neighbor’s number by heart, but post it next to the phone for anyone else who might need assistance while in your home.

4. Newspaper circulation department, to report missed papers or to suspend delivery during vacations.

5. Pharmacy. Your pharmacist is a good person to call for questions about side effects and interactions of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

6. Children’s schools, for reporting absence, tardiness, and so forth. Also keep numbers for coaches, tutors, and music instructors where you can find them.

7. Hair salon and barber.

8. Auto mechanic.

9. Auto insurance agent. Put your policy number right next to the phone number.

10. Housekeeper.

11. Home maintenance. Keep numbers for any services you regularly receive, such as gardeners or pool cleaners.

12. Restaurants, including take-out places for delivery, and favorite eat-in restaurants for making quick reservations.

13. Movie theaters.

14. Baby-sitters.

15. Pet sitters and dog walkers.

16. Florist.

17. Train information.

18. Bus information.

19. Taxi services.

20. Airlines. List your frequent flyer numbers next to the airline’s phone number.

21. Bank. Keep your account numbers next to the phone numbers.