Highland Park firefighter urges residents to close bedroom doors and teach children how to call 911

Firefighter Robinson of the Highland Park Fire Department urged Highland Park residents Thursday to take two simple precautions that, he said, can save lives: close bedroom doors before falling asleep and teach school‑aged children how to operate the 911 system and know their address.

“Close your door before you, fall asleep,” Robinson said. “If you can close that door before you, fall asleep, that lets us know that, hey, in the event there was a fire, you'll be okay for a little while.” He added that closing the door is not a long‑term safety strategy but can provide additional escape time while occupants evacuate.

Robinson also stressed that many children do not know how to use phones or smartwatches to summon help or state their location. “We come across children who have these phones or smartwatches and what have you, and they don't know how to dial 911,” he said. “Walk your kids through the proper way to use the 911 system. Show them how to use it, make sure they know their address, and make sure they know to get out of danger.”

Robinson described the kinds of responses the department handles regularly, from assisting emergency medical services with lift assists to responding to kitchen and house fires, and framed the tips as practical, everyday steps residents can take to reduce risk and improve outcomes when crews arrive.

No formal actions or policy changes were announced during the remarks; Robinson presented the guidance as public education from the Highland Park Fire Department.