This is my first post about cell phones because, well, I generally hate them. However, I do still have one, mainly in case there's an emergency where I need to get help fast. But what about emergencies where you can't call for help? Well, it turns out that many cell phones now have a feature that can help first responders help you.
It's called ICE, and it stands for In Case of Emergency. It's a setting in the phone where you can enter the name and phone number of the person or people you would want police, firemen, paramedics, or hospital staff to call if you're not able to do so yourself. Otherwise, they'd have to go through your entire address book trying to figure out who that is.
Since I'm not a cell phone connoisseur, I don't know all the different ways it works for different models. My phone has an ICE setting in the Menu that lets me enter up to three names and numbers and then those people are also highlighted in red in my regular contact list. It also has a Personal Info section where you can enter additional information, like if you have any allergies to medications. I've also noted in mine that I have two cats that need to be taken care of, just in case I can't get home any time soon.
If you don't have a separate ICE setting in your phone, you can simply add ICE in front of the names of the appropriate people in your contact list. Emergency personnel are now used to looking for the acronym so it will still save them time figuring out who to call.
So if you haven't already entered this information into your phone, why not do it right now? And make sure your other family members do it as well to make sure that YOU're the first person called if anything were to happen to them.
Note: Cell phones can get damaged or lost in an accident so they shouldn't be the only place you record this information. Emergency experts suggest you also keep written instructions in your wallet or glove compartment.
