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Show A DIME COULD SAVE A LIFE One of the first things a youngster should be taught today is how to use the telephone. Even before learning to read and write, each child should know how to reach the operator. As case histories of the National Public Safety Council's publication "Family Safety" show, even a little four year old saved her mother's life because she knew how to reach the telephone operator. Every child of three or older can be taught to speak his name and address clearly and should know how to make an emergency 'phone call. The simple act of dialing dial-ing "0" might save his life or make it possible to save yours. Every child old enough to be away from home should be checked out on the use of a pay phone. He should be taught to lift the receiver off the hook, drop the coin in the slot that matches it in size, listen for the dial tone, and then dial or punch "0" and wait for the voice of the lady who will always be able to get the needed help. We all should take similar precautions and insist that each child has at least one dime in change reserved for that all -important telephone call. Remember that dime in a real emergency it could save a life ! However, when teaching a child to use the telephone, it should be emphatically emphasized that telephones are not playthings . . . the child should use the phone only for en-ier.-encies. Such emphasis will also help to impress on the child that he is learning to "do something important" im-portant" . . . and he will be more capable if an emergency arises. ' ' |