Nearly half of parents have not taught their children how to dial 999 - and many youngsters think the emergency number is 911 , a study found . Many said their children were not mature enough to learn the life-saving skill . And , shockingly , an even greater number said their children would not know the difference between 999 and 911 , the emergency number in the US . Scroll down for video . Nearly half of parents have not taught their children how to dial 999 - and many youngsters think the emergency number is 911 , a study found . The survey of 757 parents was carried out by Mumsnet , the UK ’ s largest internet community for parents . It found that 37 per cent of parents had not told their children how to dial 999 , with 53 per cent claiming they had never even considered teaching them . But nearly half - 46 per cent - insisted that their children were not mature enough to know about who to call in an emergency . And concerningly , 65 per cent of parents said their children did not know the difference between 999 and America ’ s 911 . Locked smartphones stuck on the ‘ enter passcode ’ screen were also a source of worry for many parents . 78 per cent of respondents know that you can dial 999 from a locked phone , but only 23 per cent are confident their children know this . The survey raises fears that many youngsters are not being taught vital lessons about what to do in an emergency . Of those parents who said they had not taught them how to dial 999 , more than 60 per cent admitted they were not confident their child would know what to do if someone collapsed , wouldn ’ t wake up or if there was a fire . The survey of 757 parents was carried out by Mumsnet , the UK ’ s largest internet community for parents . But campaigners say that even toddlers under the age of five should be taught how to call 999 . The Mumsnet website www.999forkids.com is now urging parents to build on their children ’ s interests in the emergency services and characters like Fireman Sam to educate them about making an emergency call . And it says that parents should explain to their children what kinds of medical situations would definitely require a 999 call , such as chest pain , breathing problems , choking or drowning . Joe Mulligan , head of first aid learning at the Red Cross , said : ‘ Children as young as five can learn some basic first aid , but we know that even younger children can be introduced to the idea of dialling 999 . ‘ By using play-acting with your child you can help them feel confident to act in a real emergency scenario , which could potentially save a life. ’ Mumsnet have now launched a hard-hitting campaign to alert parents to the dangers of keeping their children ignorant of 999 . The website features a poignant video real-life 999 call made by a five-year-old girl after her mother Loretta Addison from Warrington , Cheshire , had an epileptic fit . Elleemae ’ s bravery saver her mother ’ s life , and those behind the campaign hope the video will service as a hard-hitting example to other parents who have yet to tell their children about 999 . Nils Leonard , chairman and CCO of Grey London - the company which made the film - said : ‘ In advertising , we spend our lives making up fiction to get people to care . ‘ But there ’ s nothing more powerful than the truth . When it ’ s delivered by a child and the UK ’ s largest network of parents , rather than government , people will take notice . We will save lives. ’ Justine Roberts , the CEO of Mumsnet , said : ‘ Nobody wants to think about the circumstances in which their child might need to call 999 , but as Elleemae ’ s story shows , it can literally be a lifesaver . ‘ We hope this powerful film will encourage parents to take a deep breath and have a chat with their children . ’
Study found many children do n't know the difference between 999 and 911 . Comment: Mumsnet survey raises fear children are n't learning vital emergency steps .