Who Can Help You in an Emergency?

Here are some of the ways you can help emergency responders help you. We suggest you start by preparing a small laminated card that provides emergency names and phone numbers for each person in your household. Print it on bright, colored paper and keep it next to your driver’s license. The idea is to carry it with you EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE — whether going to work, running to the store, or even taking a walk.

    Make a card yourself or go to http://www.medids.com. The site offers a template to prepare an emergency card for free. You fill in the personal data, print the card, and laminate it so it is ready to carry in a pocket or purse. (The site does not keep your particulars, so if you need an update or correction, you will need to start over.)

    While the website above offers just the basics, Aequus is currently preparing Emergency ID cards that offer clients an extensive list of possible numbers and other important data. What you include on your card is up to you. Obviously, you will want to find the right balance between maintaining your privacy and receiving the help you may need should an emergency arise. Listed are some additional considerations to help emergency responders help you. 

* Many local police departments offer the service of keeping emergency information for you. Check and see if yours does. If so, give it to them. Emergencies happen, and the information you provide could be vital to your health and safety.

* The Illinois Secretary of State is offering to keep emergency numbers on file for you also — with your driver’s license data. Visit http://www.CyberdriveIllinois.com. and click on Emergency Contact Database. It’s that easy.

* If you have chosen to be an Organ Donor, but have not updated your state information lately (new consent regulations are now in effect), go to http://www.LifeGoesOn.com to do so.

* Have you added an “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) phone number to your cell? Whoever you choose, call it ICE in the alpha list — and follow ICE with the name of your chosen contact (i.e., ICE Daughter Abby). Paramedics are currently checking cells for these designated contact people.

 
This may all well sound daunting, but it is preparation for a life event that hopefully will never happen. Think of it as a form of insurance.