Is your phone ICEd up?

Adding ICE (“In Case of Emergency”) to your phone is a clever means by which emergency personnel can locate your next of kin if something goes wrong.

This simple idea was developed by a British paramedic, Bob Brotchie, who recognized the need for speed when emergency personnel were trying to locate next of kin during disaster situations. It’s a simple way to keep your loved ones informed.

Here’s how to act:

1. Open your cell phone’s address book.
2. Program ICE – “In Case of Emergency” – with the name of your emergency contact into your speed dial. Putting a dash in front will stack those numbers at the top of your contact list. For example:
   1. ICE Bob
   2. ICE Mom
   3. ICE Mrs. Crabby
3. Alert family members that you have done this and encourage them to do so as well. This will help speed up responses from emergency personnel when they have to decide who to call in case you are injured.

If your phone is set in ‘locked’ mode, an ICED app will allow it to still work. Some phones have this feature already built-in. The RS Safety website has an ICED app or you can check with your operating system’s app store where you can usually find one for free.

Rick Means, Director of Safety & Education, is available to help members with safety plans and suggestions for safety meeting topics. Contact him at 360-943-9198, Ext. 118 or [email protected].