‘Icing’ your phone could save a life

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    A group that helps the elderly is calling on everyone to “ICE” their phones. 

    In this use, “ICE” stands for in case of emergency. So if police or emergency medical technicians find someone unconscious, they can check for ICE entries in the person’s cell phone and quickly know whom to call.

    Programming the phone of a parent or loved one can save lives, said Caryn Coff, director of the eldercare groups Visiting Angels’ franchise in Jenkintown.

    “What’s helpful is that, if there is an emergency, time is of the essence,” Coff said. “This is a way to give emergency responders an opportunity to help the individual that needs that help right away.”

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    Coff said it’s important those ICE contacts are told ahead of time what kinds of information they should be ready to give.

    “If that person would know anything about them — such as who their doctors are and their medical conditions — when there’s not a lot of time, you want to get that information as quickly as possible,” she said.

    For those with smartphones that have security codes preventing strangers from using the phone, Coff suggests putting a sticker on the back with emergency contact info.

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