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Put emergency contacts on cell phone under ICE

Do you pack a cellular phone in your purse or have one attached to your belt? The commonly used communications device could save your life, even without calling 9-1-1 for emergency services.

If you become incapacitated, information stored in the phone’s “personal contacts” memory under the name of ICE can assist medical responders in reaching your emergency contact. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics can determine who to call for medical information and/or history or to notify a friend or family member of your condition ... if you take a few minutes to input the data.

Enter the contact’s name and telephone number under the letters ICE, which stand for In Case of Emergency. Several names can be entered using ICE-1, ICE-2, etc. Providing that contact information can save responders a lot of time, and possibly your life.

Responders know what ICE stands for and will look for it immediately if you cannot provide the information yourself.

Check the ICE information occasionally to ensure that it remains current.

The American Society of Safety Engineers has developed a Power Point presentation and news release explaining how to program ICE on your telephone.

The project is a result of a suggestion by the society’s public relations committee. It is intended to help save lives and reduce injuries. A news release (dated Oct. 24) about the use of ICE is available at: www.asse.org/newsroom

Thanks to Deborah S. Gravett, IT Information Technician Senior, and Cheryl D. Rost, ITD Safety and Risk Management Manager, for passing along the ICE information.

Published 11-18-05