I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency)

I don't know of too many people who don't own a cellphone these days. We are a cellphone addicted society. We use them to connect with the world, to check up on the latest Tweets and happenings on social media sites such as Facebook and upload photos and videos to YouTube.

I am the exception to the rule though. I will be honest. I have a pay as you go cellphone. Trust me, Rogers doesn't get too wealthy off of me. My only use for my cellphone is in case of emergency purposes. There is the odd time a friend will call it to chat, but very rarely will you see it attached to my ear. It seeks comfort and warmth within the confines of my purse. It has no camera or internet capabilities. I can use a text feature but by the time I figure out how to turn numbers into letters I get exasperated and just wait until I get home and chat online.

Recently I had to re-certify my CPR and First Aid training and the paramedic that was training us mentioned I.C.E to us. I hadn't even thought about it and of course as a Crime Prevention Specialist I was intrigued to learn more. The I.C.E. program was originally developed in 2004 in the United Kingdom by first responder Bob Brotchie and quickly spread into other countries.

I.C.E. is an acronym for In Case of Emergency. How many of you have an in case of emergency card or paper in your wallet for emergency personnel? How many have an I.C.E contact listed in your cellphone? It's something so simple yet we never really think about. If you were to be unconscious in an accident how would first responders know who to contact. By creating an I.C.E contact in the phonebook on your cellphone, it takes the guess work out of who to contact and allows for emergency agencies to contact your spouse, parent or friend much faster.

To program ICE into your cell phone:

* Access the address book feature of your cell phone.
* Enter the name ICE.
* Enter the phone number of your husband, wife, parent or whomever needs to know about you in case of an emergency.

It's that simple. A few minutes that could help first responders locate your spouse, parent or friend faster that in turn could potentially save your life. Shouldn't you add an ICE contact in your phone today?