UAE: 82% of children don’t know emergency numbers, survey finds

UAE: 82% of children don’t know emergency numbers, survey finds

72% have memorized parent's phone number

Published: Sun 12 Jun 2022, 3:22 PM Last updated: Sun 12 Jun 2022, 3:31 PM

82 per cent of children surveyed are unaware of important emergency phone numbers, which are vital in reaching out for help during real-life emergencies.

The poll conducted by the Child Safety Department (CSD), an affiliate of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, spoke to 108 children aged 4 – 12 across different nationalities as part of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF) in May 2022.

Here are the survey results:

71% of children admitted to not knowing the Child Protection Centre hotline number

74% did not know the police hotline number

94% did not know the ambulance services number

89% did not know the civil defence number

"Teaching children to memorize important helpline numbers could save lives and keep them safe during an emergency. The survey results emphasize the vital need for a new and innovative campaign to heighten awareness to ensure the highest levels of safety and protection for the younger generations," said Hanadi Al Yafei, Director, CSD.

Here are the numbers you can get your child to memorize:

997 for Fire Department (Civil Defence)

116111 for Child Protection Center hotline

800988 for Dubai Child Protection

800700 for Child Protection