Home > Fact of the Week > What's In Your Wallet?
 

01-30-2012

P
reparedness Facts of the Week
by Elizabeth Hall, Emergency Services Specialist - Kings County Public Health Department
 
  What's In Your Wallet?
Tips of How to Make Emergency Card | Printable Article (PDF) | Download PDF Reader
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A few years ago I wrote an article entitled “What’s in Your Wallet” that I’d like to share again. Our wallets have seemed to become our catch all for everything from receipts, coupons, gift cards, meal cards, membership and pet cards, insurance cards, not to mention credit cards and cash. Let’s see…what else? Oh, yes…emergency contact information. You may be thinking that having all your important numbers in your cell phone is enough, right? There’s nothing easier than having your entire phonebook/directory on your cell phone. But what if something happens to your phone? What if someone had to call on your behalf; where would they find your information? Some of us may carry a card with our spouse’s information or someone who can be called in case of an emergency. But is that enough? I mean, what would happen if the person you have on your emergency card cannot be reached? Do you have a backup plan?

 
 
All Plans and Lists Should Go Three Deep
 
  In other words, three sets of information. You just never know when someone may need to be contacted on your behalf and the one on your list is unavailable. What if it was a medical emergency? Do you have something prepared that you carry with you at all times so that help can be called? I like to keep a card the size of a business card either behind or next to my driver's license (it all depends on the style of the wallet).

   
 

Keep Information Current

  • Once you have your cards in place, it is always a good idea to check them periodically for any changes. I like to use the old standby of checking them twice a year when the time changes, or whenever you take the time to clean out your wallet…which ever comes first.
  • Print or type "Emergency Contact Information" at the top of your card. Big bold underlined words are easier seen.
  • You may print the information on a card or type on a standard label that you can cut to size and place over your card.
  • Complete a contact card for each family member.
    Your information should include contact name, the relationship of this person to you, and their home, work and cell number. If you have room, you may also add their home and work address. You can never have too much contact information.
  • If you use a blank card, you can put information on both the front and the back; no need to cram it all on one side.
  • If you have a business card, you can put your information on the back of it.
  • Index cards work well. They are sturdy and easy to cut to size.
  • Colorful cards really stand out and may be easier to spot than your standard information.
  • And last but not least….if you choose to write out your information, please print clearly!
    We can always read our own writing, but other's - especially in an emergency situation - may not be able to.


    You may think you don’t have time for one more little project, but what you don’t have time for is a worried family wondering where you are if something where to happen to you. Imagine if you will that you have to be taken to the hospital and you don’t have an emergency card with you. The hospital staff cannot immediately locate your family members or access medical information that would be critical to treating you. Unfortunately, some patients die in emergency rooms without any of their family members present. By the time the family members are eventually notified, it is often too late. With that in mind, could you find the time to make an emergency contact information card for your wallet? Be smart, be safe. Until next time…..



 


Do your part for safety awareness by passing this information along to anyone you can think of who would benefit.

Be Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!


Teaming Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall


Kings County Public Health Department

330 Campus Drive
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 852-2634

www.kingscountyoem.com
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