In Case of Emergency ICE your Mobile

Everyone should keep the name and telephone number of their next-of-kin in their mobile address book under the name of ICE (In Case of Emergency), the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has urged.

The IAEM said ICE would make it far easier to call next-of-kin in the unfortunate event of a medical crisis and to reduce needless delays.

Having quick and easy access to the number of a patient’s next-of-kin would also save the emergency services valuable time in critical situations, said the IAEM.

For example, people should enter “ICE mum” or “ICE husband” followed by the number. The option exists to list more than one emergency contact as ICE1, ICE2 etc.

Parents should ensure that their children’s mobile phones also carry ICE information, the IAEM added.

The ICE campaign began in the UK in 2005 and since then has gained significant popularity in Britain, Europe and now North America.

Posted Tuesday 22nd July 2008