An ICE idea

A recent article from the Toronto Star details a new way to help your loved ones contact you in case of an emergency. It's called "the ICE idea." As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is program the number of a contact person or persons and store the name as "ICE"

The idea originated with a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but he didn't know which numbers to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file "next of kin" under.

Following a disaster in London, The East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national "In Case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. The idea is that you store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone address book, and with it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency."

In an emergency situation, paramedics and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialling the number programmed under "ICE."

It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.