Have You ICE'd Your Cell Phone?

Cell phones are now as common as cars. Not so many years ago, cell phones were big hulking pieces of equipment that were best housed in your car-because you would break your back, if you carried it around all day. Today they are so small they fit into a pocket and there is as much technology squeezed into that tiny package as anyone could reasonably want-or need. Speakerphones, Blue Tooth headsets, hands free operations, voice activated calling. It boggles the mind.

Cell phones are used for business, chit-chat, staying in touch, working the Internet, watching stocks and reminding spouses to pick up milk on the way home. It has become a necessary convenience. But did you ever think about the fact that your cell phone could save your life?

If you watch the news at all, you have heard stories where someone has been able to direct a rescue to them using their cell phone, but what if you can't make a call? Can you say GPS? GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS was added to cell phones to assist 911 in locating those in need of help. Does your cell phone have GPS? Probably. Can you access it? In most cases, yes. For a fee, many wireless companies now offer GPS activation, so that you can track or locate a cell phone under your jurisdiction. (Teenagers watch out-Mom does have eyes in the back of her head.)

So you are safe and all is well, right? Aren't cell phones great! Wait, we're not done yet. Let's say you are traveling. You don't know anyone in the town where you are staying. You are in an accident and unconscious. Maybe you are only dazed and can't think straight or suffering from temporary memory loss. Who is 911 going to notify? It will take time for them to run your name and address and come up with a phone number, even if you have ID. And, then, what if no one is home? Where do they go from there?

If you have ICE'd your phone you will have nothing to worry about except recovering. ICE is an acronym for In Case of Emergency. Simply make an entry into your cell phone directory starting with ICE and followed by a name and relationship. Make as many of these entries as you deem necessary for your given situation. Emergency personnel are being trained to look for this designation on cell phones.

If you are a senior and travel significantly, this ICE designation is vital to your safety and well-being. Be sure your primary care physician is properly noted and, if you have a medical condition, you can input that information with the ICE designation.

Want a good laugh? Walk up to someone and ask him or her if they have ICE'd their phone. The look you get back is worth the trouble. I'm sure mine was. My sister and brother-in-law pulled that question on me. They RV all around the country and say they never go anywhere without ICE.