What Would You Say? — Emergency Practice
Topic: Emergency Preparedness
1. Activity Introduction
Sometimes something unexpected happens and we need help quickly.
Knowing what to say can help adults understand and respond.
You do not have to handle an emergency by yourself. Getting a responsible adult is often the safest first action.
Today, you will practise using simple words to ask for help, explain what happened, and say where you are.
2. Warm-Up: “Say It Clearly”
Here is a simple formula to remember:
HELP + WHAT + WHERE
HELP
Say that you need help.
WHAT
Say what happened or what is wrong.
WHERE
Say where you are, if you know.
Example
“I need help. My friend is hurt. We are near the school gate.”
You do not need a long speech. Short, clear information is helpful.
3. Activity: “WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?”
For each situation:
- Read the situation.
- Think about what you would say.
- Say your answer aloud or tell it to a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
- Then compare it with the model answer.
There can be more than one good way to say it.
Scenario 1 — Where Is My Family?
You are at a busy public place with your family. You cannot see the adult you came with.
What would you say?
Your turn:
“I need help because…”
Model answer
“I need help. I cannot find my family. We were near the entrance.”
Scenario 2 — A Friend Needs Help
You are playing with a friend. Your friend falls and appears to be hurt.
What would you say?
Your turn:
“I need help because…”
Model answer
“I need help. My friend fell and is hurt. We are at the playground.”
You do not need to try to treat the injury yourself. Get a responsible adult.
Scenario 3 — Something Looks Wrong
You notice smoke and think an adult needs to know about it.
What would you say?
Your turn:
“I need help. I can see…”
Model answer
“I need help. I can see smoke. We are near the school hall.”
Stay away from danger and get a responsible adult. Do not try to investigate it yourself.
Scenario 4 — Someone Becomes Unwell
An adult or child nearby suddenly seems unwell and needs help.
What would you say?
Your turn:
“I need help. Someone…”
Model answer
“I need help. Someone is unwell. We are in the school library.”
Tell the adult what you know. You do not need to guess what is wrong.
Scenario 5 — I Cannot Find the Adult I Came With
You are in a place you know, but you cannot find the adult who came with you.
What would you say?
Your turn:
“I need help. I am…”
Model answer
“I need help. I cannot find the adult I came with. I am near the information desk.”
Stay with a safe, appropriate adult or helper and explain what you know.
4. Activity: “WHICH DETAILS MATTER?”
When you ask for help, some details are especially useful.
Read each situation. Which details would you tell the responsible adult?
Situation 1
Your friend needs help at the playground.
Which details matter?
- Your favourite game
- What happened
- Who needs help
- Your favourite colour
- Where you are
Good details:
What happened + who needs help + where you are
Situation 2
You are separated from your family at a public place.
Which details matter?
- Where you are
- Who you are looking for
- Your favourite food
- What happened
- The colour of your shoes, if it helps the adult identify you
Good details:
Where you are + who you are looking for + what happened
Situation 3
You notice something that may need urgent adult help.
Which details matter?
- What you can see
- Where you are
- What you had for breakfast
- What happened, if you know
- A made-up explanation of what caused it
Good details:
What you can see + where you are + what you know
Remember: Tell the adult what you know. Do not guess.
5. Practice: “SAY IT OUT LOUD”
Speaking aloud can make asking for help feel more familiar.
Practise with a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
Challenge 1
Pretend your friend is hurt at the playground.
Say:
“I need help because…”
Try to include what happened and where you are.
Challenge 2
Pretend you are separated from your family in a public place.
Say:
“I need help. I am looking for…”
Try to explain who you are looking for and where you are.
Challenge 3
Pretend you see something that may require urgent adult help.
Say:
“I need help. I can see…”
Try to explain what you can see and where you are.
Speaking Tip
You do not need perfect words.
Speak clearly. Tell the truth. Say what you know. Ask for help.
6. “STAY CALM AND LISTEN”
When a responsible adult comes to help, try these three actions.
1. Take a breath and speak clearly.
2. Listen carefully when the adult asks a question.
3. Follow the safe instructions given by the responsible adult.
Your turn
Put these three ideas into your own words.
What would you do first?
What would you do next?
What would you do after that?
There is no need to rush your words. Calm and clear is good.
7. “IF YOU DON’T KNOW”
You do not need to know everything.
Tell a safe adult what you know.
If you are unsure about the correct words, do not delay asking for help.
You can say:
“I need help. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I know something is wrong.”
Then listen to the adult and answer their questions honestly.
If you cannot reach one safe adult, seek another appropriate adult nearby.
A Note About Emergency Calls
In India, 112 is the unified emergency number for emergencies. The Government of India describes 112 as a nationwide emergency response system for different kinds of emergencies.
Children should generally get a responsible adult’s help and follow family or school instructions. An emergency call should be made when urgent emergency help is actually needed.
8. Quick Safety Reminder
Remember:
- I can ask for help.
- I can speak clearly.
- I can tell an adult what happened and where I am.
- I can listen and follow safe instructions.
My Safety Sentence
HELP + WHAT + WHERE
That is a simple way to start.
9. Adult Support Note
Parents, teachers, and other responsible adults can help children build confidence by practising these situations calmly.
- Let the child answer first.
- Practise speaking aloud rather than only reading.
- Help the child make their answer clearer without criticising them.
- Encourage truthful, simple descriptions rather than guessing.
- Reinforce that asking for help quickly is a good safety decision.
- Remind the child that they are not expected to handle an emergency independently.
- Use familiar Indian family, school, and community settings when practising.
- Avoid frightening stories or graphic examples.
The goal is not to make children afraid of emergencies. The goal is to make speaking up and seeking help feel familiar.