Can’t Set Foot In Your Loved One’s Hospital Room?

Updated 3/22/2021

How To Stay Connected With The People You Love, Even If You’re Not Allowed In Their Hospital Room

What can you do to keep someone you love as safe and connected as possible if they end up in the hospital in the middle of the pandemic?

A lot more than you think…

The minute we wrote and enacted three Next of Kin laws to protect hospital patients, people began asking us what they can do to keep the people they love safe while they’re in the hospital.

Usually our advice is pretty straightforward.

Go to the hospital with them and don’t ever leave them alone.  Just pitch a tent at their bedside and get comfortable.

Laura and Jan Greenwald, After WAY Too Much Experience With The Subject

Okay, there’s a little more to it than that.  But THAT was before Coronavirus reared its ugly head.

Now every hospital here in the U.S. and around the world, has a new mandate to keep everyone as safe as possible.

No visitors.  No family.  No argument.

Now what?

The good news is that with some easy to use tools and tips you can keep your loved one and her medical staff safely at arm’s length while keeping a pulse on her and her condition.

Here are some easy ways to stay in constant communication with your loved one and his medical team, even if you can’t set foot in the hospital.

On The Phone

This is probably the easiest way to keep in touch with your patient. Even if he or she can’t speak, a member of the medical staff can always put the phone up to their ear or put the call on speaker so you can talk to them

I don’t have to tell you what a difference hearing a familiar voice on the phone can make for someone who is critically ill, unconscious or unresponsive. After my Grandma’s stroke, the moment she heard Mom’s and my voices on the phone, her eyes snapped open and she came out of her coma.  Enough said. 

FaceTime | Skype | Webex | Zoom

Video calls are a great way to stay in touch with anyone in the hospital.

One of the worst things about not being able to be at someone’s bedside, is not being able to see them and have them see you. FaceTime, Skype, Webex and Zoom solve that problem.  Remember, many COVID -19 patients have to be on a ventilator for at least part of their treatment, which renders them unable to speak. But a video call – quick and easy for any staff member to do – gives both of you the real time contact you need to see each other and to see exactly what’s going on.

If you want to use FaceTime or Skype, be sure to write down the user names or passwords you’ll need on your Information Central page, so you and the medical staff will have them handy.  And don’t forget to make sure the app is working on both of your smartphones or devices like our favorites the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone, before you send your loved one’s phone with him to the hospital. 

Texting

Is your loved one is awake and able to use his or her smartphone, but not able to carry on a long conversation?  Then texting is a great alternative.  The whole family texting little updates, well wishes, pictures, videos and even jokes can really make the day of someone stuck in bed.

Texts can also be read back to him once he’s awake and able to listen. Some phones like iPhones also let you send an audio or video text which is a great way to send love to or from the hospital or help relieve boredom during recovery.  

Social Media 

When you have to communicate fast, don’t forget Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They all have instant messaging, so if you need to reach busy family members quickly, they might just spot a direct message faster than a missed call or text. 

Games 

If your family or friends play group games like Words With Friends online, be sure to tuck this login in your loved ones contacts so they’ll have it with them if they want to stay connected.   It’s a great way to keep some normalcy during those times when everything else seems to be spiraling out of control. 

White Board

When you have a chance to talk to the nurses taking care of your loved one, ask them if they would take a moment to jot down a few updates about your patient on the whiteboard in her room.  Any improvements that she’s made, how they feel her day went, or even what she had for lunch.   Then when they call to give you an update (preferably twice a day) you won’t just get a medical rundown.  They’ll be able to give you a quick status along with a personal update.  

Playlists

If you have time, put together a playlist of power songs, relaxing songs and just plain favorites for your love one to listen to during rough times and recovery.  You can also assemble a list of favorite movies that can be streamed along with the name of the streaming service you use, so it’s easy for a hospital staff member to help your loved one to find her favorites.

Other Ways To Stay In Touch

There is no one more inventive than a family desperate to communicate with someone they love.  We’ve all heard stories all the way through the pandemic about people using walkie-talkies and baby monitors outside their husband’s or mom’s hospital window to be with them, so they won’t be alone.  

Some temporary makeshift hospitals might not even have phones at their patient’s bedsides.  So whatever way you find to stay in communication with sick loved ones – don’t ever let anyone – a hospital, doctor, nurse, first responder – anyone – tell you that you won’t be able to communicate with the person you love.   You just have to figure out HOW to make it happen.

The most important thing to remember is that the person you love is not alone.  You’re only a FaceTime (or call or text or Tweet) away.

For a book’s worth of tips and tools on keeping the people you love safe while hospitalized during Coronavirus, pick up a copy of our book Alone Together in paperback or instant download.

Alone Together | The Book Inspired By The Pandemic

Protect The People You Love, Even If You Can’t Set Foot In Their Hospital Room.  In just weeks, COVID-19 changed the rules at every hospital in the world.  No visitors.  No family.  No argument.  Now what?  What can YOU do to keep someone you love as safe and connected as possible if they end up in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic?  A lot more than you think.   Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone!  At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

Keep The Stuff You Love Safe

How To Save Your Treasured Voice Mail Messages

How To Save Your Home Movies And Videos

How To Archive Your Digital Photos

How To Archive Your Print Photos

How To Make A Home Inventory

How To Get Your Financial Life In Order

How To Preserve Your Family History

How To Back Up Your Facebook Friends List

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Mobile Command Center

How To Backup Your Music, MP3s And Vinyl Albums

How To Access Your Money No Matter Where You Are

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On An Apple Watch

Updated On 3/1/21

Wondering how to set up your Medical ID or ICE Contact on your new #AppleWatch?

As long as you have your iPhone handy, it couldn’t be easier. One of the best things about the Apple Watch is that whatever information you put on your iPhone syncs up perfectly with your watch.  Which is great news when you’re setting up your ICE Contact and Medical ID.  There’s nothing worse than trying to type on a tiny little screen, right?  If you’ve already set up your ICE Contacts and Medical ID on your iPhone, you’re already set.  All you or a hospital has to do is press and hold the side button on your watch.

The Medical ID slide button will appear.  Just tap it and you’ll see your Medical ID information.  Scroll down to emergency contacts, to view any ICE Contacts you added to the Medical ID on your iPhone.

If you happen to be a medical professional or a first responder, this is a great way to find an unconscious patient’s medical and emergency information.

But what if you haven’t set up your ICE Contacts and Medical ID on your iPhone yet? Not to worry!  Here’s how to do it the RIGHT way, in just a few minutes.

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts and Medical ID On Your iPhone

As much as we love Apple’s Medical ID, there are two reasons you still need to make a regular ICE Contact, to use along with it. 

Number 1:  You can put an unlimited amount of vital information into a regular contact.

Number 2:  Hospitals are used to looking for ICE Contacts rather than Medical ID and if you don’t have a regular one, they might miss it.

And with the way the world has been the last few years — from hurricanes to wildfires, tornadoes and oh yeah, COVID — having an ICE contact is an awesome way keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you.

Below, you’ll find everything you need not only to set up your Medical ID the RIGHT way, but the ICE Contacts that go along with it. 

First grab the information you’ll need:

All of the contact info for your two (or more) emergency contacts.

• A list of your allergies.

• A list of your medical conditions/recent surgeries

• The contact information for your main physician(s)

• Any other information you would like an ER to know about you.

Grab your phone and let’s get started!

1. Put the word ICE, all capitals, in the First Name field. Don’t type anything else in this field!

2. Put your ICE Contact’s full name and relationship to you in the Company field, ie John Smith – Husband.

3. Type in every phone number you have for your contact.

4. Type in all of your contact’s email addresses — again, every last one.

5. Type in all of your contact’s social media handles/user names. You never know what will be up and running in an emergency. Many people have reached loved ones on Facebook and Twitter, when cell phone and landline service was down.

6. All of your own allergies, medications and medical history go in the notes section. Even better capitalize the words ALLERGIES, MEDICATIONS etc to ensure that they’re seen. 

7. Add your physician’s names and phone numbers in the notes section and if you like, a link to your own Medical History Form. If you don’t have one, you can borrow one of ours.

8. Is your contact in different locations on different days? Add that in the notes section as well.

9. Instead of their photo, add an ICE Contact Graphic to the contact to make it stand out. Go to our Free Resource Page to find one you love.

10. And finally, never put your social security number or insurance member number into your ICE Contact. You can add the name of your insurance company and customer service number, but the actual numbers can wait until later.

And now, let’s make your ICE info even easier to find, by setting up your iPhone’s Medical ID.  

Don’t forget that you can fill in your ICE Contact on your Mac or iPad.  Not only is it easier to type on a larger screen, but once you save it to your contacts, it will sync with iCloud and appear right on your phone.

What Is Medical ID?

Medical ID, a part of the Apple Health App, not only gives you a place to put your emergency medical information, but it puts a link to that information right on the front of your phone, where it can be viewed by a hospital even if your phone is password locked. 

You’ll find it on most iPhones (iPhone 6 and up) using iOS 8 and higher.   If your phone is older and doesn’t have Medical ID, you can just leave your ICE Contact the way it is.

On your home screen click on the Health App – it’s the one with the heart on it.  This will take you to the Dashboard page of the Health App.  On the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see the Medical ID icon.  Click on it. 

On the Medical ID screen, click on the red link that says Create Medical ID.

The most important part of the Medical ID screen is at the top.  It’s the On/Off Switch that shows a link to your emergency information on the home screen of your phone even when it’s password-locked. 

Before you do anything else, switch this to the ON position.  It will turn green like the graphic below.

By the way, none of the information in your Medical ID is shared with any of the other apps on your phone.

Enter All Of Your Information

Put all the information you possibly can into your Medical ID.

As you can see it already has fields for your birth date, medical conditions, allergies, current medications and other information.  There are two sections that you need to pay special attention to – Medical Notes and Add Emergency Contact.

After you finish filling in the regular fields, use the Notes Section to list anything that didn’t fit into them, like the names and phone numbers of your physicians and healthcare providers and contact information for your Insurance Company.  Again, don’t add any sensitive personal information like a social security number, insurance member ID number or financial information.  

You can also place a link to your Medical History Form in the Notes Section to give emergency personnel to quick access to your medical history until your emergency contact arrives at the hospital.

Add Your Emergency Contact

When you click on Medical ID’s Add Emergency Contact button, it will show you a list of your contacts, so you can choose the people you’d like to add to your Medical ID.  That’s why we had you set up your ICE Contacts first. 

Go ahead and click on the button and choose your first ICE Contact. 

If you have additional ICE Contacts (a smart idea, in case your first contact is unreachable), then click on the Add Emergency Contact field again to add as many additional people as you would like.

Want to save time turning your husband or wife’s contact into an ICE Contact?  Simple!  Just tap & hold the contact you want to use, choose share and email it to yourself. Then open it in your email, make the changes from above to turn it into an ICE Contact and save it to your contacts as ICE.

That’s all there is to it!

While you’re here, be sure to check out our other posts like How To Put An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy, Android or Window’s Phone (you’ll find the links below), to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about ICEing nearly any type of phone.

And don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information, so you can get in touch with each other quickly and easily.

Having an ICE contact and Medical ID is an awesome way keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

How To Find Your Patient’s Emergency Contacts On An iPhone

Updated On 2/28/21

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information and ICE Contacts On An iPhone  

As emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics, police officers and other first responders know, there’s nothing worse than staring down at a critically ill patient who can’t answer of your questions.  Who can’t tell you who they are, what medications they’re taking or one thing about their medical history. 

Or can they?  What if your patient had something in their pocket that could tell you all the critical information you need to save their life?   

They do. 

It’s their iPhone. 

But how do you find all that information, especially if they password protect their phone? It’s a lot easier than you think! 

Here’s how to do it. 

What Am I Looking For? 

You’re looking for their Medical ID or their ICE/Emergency Contacts. 

Pick up your patient’s phone and look at the screen.  You might have to click the round home button or power button to wake it up.  If the phone is off, just hold the power button for a few seconds to turn it on.

Does the phone screen look like picture 1, 2 or 3 below? 

#1 Password Protected With Medical ID 

Most new iPhones have an emergency link called Medical ID, which displays the owner’s medical information and emergency contacts, even if the phone is password protected. 

Locate Medical Information & Emergency Contacts 

Tap the word EMERGENCY on the lower left side of the screen. Then on the next screen, tap MEDICAL ID.  

This will open Medical ID.

Not only will you be able to see any medical history or information that your patient has entered, but you’ll be able to see their ICE/Emergency Contacts at the bottom of the Medical ID screen.

Locate Patient’s Name And Contact Information

Didn’t find anything helpful?  Let’s try and find your patient’s name and contact information.

Look at the screen, hold down the home button and say the following words in this order.

“Who does this iPhone belong to?” 

Siri should respond with your patient’s name and any basic contact information that he or she entered on the phone. 

Locate Patient’s Next Of Kin 

If you weren’t able to find the information you need, here are a few ideas that might help.  

#2 Password Protected iPhone Without Medical ID

Locate Medical Information  

If you see a password screen but don’t see the word EMERGENCY, the iPhone is a little older than most.  It won’t have Medical ID, but it might still have an ICE Contact.  

Locate ICE/Emergency Contacts 

Just press and hold down the  Main Home Button — the big round button on the bottom of the phone — to access Siri.  Then say the following words in this order. 

“Siri, Contacts ICE”.    

If the phone has an ICE contact, Siri should display it for you.

Locate Patient’s Name And Contact Information 

If Siri doesn’t bring anything up, press and hold down the  Main Home Button, and say the following words in this order. 

“Who does this iPhone belong to?” 

Siri should respond with your patient’s name and any basic contact information the he or she entered on the phone. 

Locate Patient’s Next Of Kin 

If you weren’t able to find the information you need, here are a few ideas that might help.  

#3 Not Password Protected

Locate Medical Information 

If the phone isn’t password protected, all you have to do is look for Medical ID or through the phone’s Contacts yourself.  

The quickest way to find it, is to ask Siri.  Swipe the arrow near the bottom of the screen from left to right, to open the home screen. 

Look at the screen and say the following words in this order:  

“Hey Siri, open Medical ID”.  

If Siri responds, check the Medical ID for the information you need.

If nothing happens, Siri probably isn’t switched on.  But you can still find the Medical ID by finding and opening the Apple Health App. 

Locate and click on the App’s Icon.  It’s the one with the Heart (SEE BELOW) and then click on Medical ID. 

Not only will you be able to see any medical history or information that your patient has entered, but you’ll be able to see their ICE/Emergency Contacts at the bottom of the Medical ID screen.

Locate ICE/Emergency Contacts 

Nothing helpful in the Medical ID?  

Time to look at the phone’s Contacts to see if you can find your patient’s ICE contacts or the name of their spouse, relatives or close friends. 

Tap the Phone icon and then tap on Contacts. 

The first contact on the list is usually the owner of the phone, so be sure to look there if you need to find your patient’s name or personal contact information.

Then scroll the rest of the phone/contacts to try and locate your patient’s spouse, parents, relatives or close friends.  

Locate Patient’s Next Of Kin 

If you weren’t able to find the information you need, here are a few ideas that might help.  

How To Find Medical ID On An Apple Watch 

Password Protected 

Locate Medical Information & Emergency Contacts 

Pick up the watch and look at the screen.  If it’s password protected, press and hold the side button (the crown on the watch) drag the Medical ID slider to the right.  

Once you open the Medical ID scroll to the bottom (by turning the side button/crown) to read the information.  Your patient’s emergency Contact should be listed towards the bottom of the Medical ID. 

To call a contact, touch the contact’s name from the list to call them.  If their iPhone isn’t nearby, you’ll have to call the contact number from another phone.   

Not Password Protected 

Locate Medical Information 

If the Apple Watch isn’t password protected, look at the screen and say the following words in this order:  

“Hey Siri, open Medical ID”.  

Locate ICE/Emergency Contacts 

Nothing helpful in the Medical ID?  Time to look at the phone’s Contacts to see if you can find your patient’s ICE Contacts or the name of their spouse, relatives or close friends. 

On the Home screen find and tap the Phone app.  

Now tap Contacts.  To look through the contacts, turning the side button/crown to scroll them. 

If you’re a healthcare professional or a first responder…

Remember these instructions the next time you encounter an unconscious patient with an iPhone. 

While you’re here, take a moment to check out  How To Put An ICE Contact On Your iPhone, or How To Put And ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy to learn how to set up a fully loaded, life saving ICE Contact on your own phone in two minutes or less.  

And don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information, so you can get in touch with each other quickly and easily.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

The Two Minutes That Can Save Your Life

Updated On 3/2/21

In 2020 due to COVID 19, millions of people ended up in the hospital, many in critical condition, who never in their wildest imaginations thought they would be going there. Many were separated from their spouses, children, friends and family who may very well be in another hospital, or who they might never see again.

The thing they have in common is that the doctors and nurses caring for them don’t know them personally. They don’t know what prescriptions they are taking, what they might be allergic to, or what hidden medical conditions might be lurking.

No one could have predicted how severely the pandemic would affect the world or how long it would continue.   But what you can prevent, is lack of information. If you don’t have an ICE Contact on your own iPhone, your spouses and kid’s phone, please stop what you’re doing and go to these links on our blog RIGHT NOW. This is the quick version for iPhone and for the Samsung Galaxy.

You can also find full ICE Contact instructions for every popular phone, smart and flip alike, in our book At Your Fingertips at this link.

Need copies for your group, company or organization? Leave a comment below and we’ll be in touch.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

 

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

 

 

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

The Two Minute ICE Contact for Samsung Galaxy

What if I told you that you could put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy with everything it needs to have in it to save your life, in 2 MINUTES FLAT?

Would you grab your phone and go for it?  Of course you would!  In fact, even if you already have an ICE Contact on your smartphone, I guarantee that you’re probably missing a few key things.

Last week we showed you how to do a 2 Minute ICE Contact on your iPhone, so we thought this week, we’d switch things up so owners of Samsung Galaxy’s could get in on the fun.  So what are you waiting for?  Grab your phone and let’s get started!

1.  Put the word ICE, all capitals, in the First Name field.

2.  Put your ICE Contact’s first and last name in the Last Name field.

3.  Type in all of your contact’s phone numbers.  EVERY one that you have for them

4. Type in all of your contact’s email addresses — again, every last one.

5. Type in all of your contact’s social media handles/user names in the website section of your contact.  You never know what will be working in an emergency.  Many people have reached loved ones on Facebook and Twitter, when cell phone and landline service was down.

6. If you don’t have a field for Relationship, add one by adding new field and choosing the one called, oddly enough, Relationship.  Then choose or enter the way that this contact is related to you.

7. Your own allergies, medications and medical history go in the notes section.  Even better capitalize the words ALLERGIES, MEDICATIONS etc to ensure that they’re seen.

8.  You can also add your physician’s names and phone numbers in the notes section and if you like, a link to your own medical history form.  If you don’t have one, you can borrow one of ours.

9.  Is your contact in different locations on different days?  Add that in the notes section as well.

10. Instead of their photo, add an ICE Contact Graphic to the contact to make it stand out.  Here are a few to choose from.

11.  And finally, never, ever put your social security number or insurance member number into your ICE Contact.  You may put the name of your insurance company and their customer service number in if you like, but as long as your emergency contact comes to the hospital and can provide that information, it’s probably not necessary.

And there you have it.  One fully loaded ICE Contact.  Two Minutes.

While you’re here, be sure to check out our other posts like How To Put and ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy or How To Put An ICE Contact On Your iPhone, or  to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about ICEing your phone. 

And while you’re feeling proactive, don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information.   

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together! We’ll talk later…

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone 6

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

 

How Satellite Phones Can Keep You Connected To Your Business & Family

Updated On 9/28/21

To us, one of the worst things that all of the recent disasters had in common, was that they left millions of people — millions of families — disconnected from everything that they needed not only to survive, but to recover. 

And with the way the world has been the last few years — from hurricanes to wildfires, tornadoes and oh yeah, COVID — having an ICE contact is the perfect way to keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you.

Natural disasters can strike at any time, leaving you and your family stranded without the ability to do something as simple as make a phone call.  Over the last few years, the United States has experienced wildfires in California, tornadoes throughout the Gulf Coast, flooding near rivers and devastation caused by hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.  While physical essentials like food, water and shelter are often limited during disasters, communications are often overlooked as an emergency resource.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico experienced an outage of their land-based networks that are used for landlines and cell phone usage.  First responders relied on satellite communications in order to coordinate relief efforts, and afflicted families were able to connect with their loved ones using satellite phones.

In a disaster, there is a risk that telephone lines may fail quickly – and those that don’t can be overloaded with users attempting to place calls.  Satellite communications may become the only alternative as your ‘cellular tower in the sky’.  Iridium provides satellite connectivity with its network of 66 Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that brings reliable service to anyone throughout the world.  Satellite connectivity is a critical emergency resource and backup communications source that allows you, your family, and colleagues to stay safe, aware and connected during a crisis. 

Is There One Phone That Stands Out From The Others?

As a matter of fact there is.  Iridium.  Iridium is the only provider that offers truly global coverage for mobile satellite devices.  Some providers have large stationary satellites placed in space over 22,000 miles away in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).  Given the distance away from Earth, satellite providers with LEO constellations, like Iridium, tend to experience lower latency on phone calls and provide coverage in areas that cannot be served by GEO constellations.  For example, if you’re stranded in a mountainous area, you may struggle to have a clear line of sight between your satellite phone and a GEO satellite.  With LEO satellites, terrain blockages resolve themselves as the satellites move overhead.

Iridium’s network of 66 LEO satellites continually orbiting the earth supplies clear and reliable communications no matter where you are.  Iridium offers easy-to-use satellite phones and devices that can quickly connect you to the Iridium network, and allow you to place calls during a crisis, especially when cellular connectivity is unavailable. 

How Do I Choose A Satellite Device?

Another benefit of a LEO network is the compact and mobile products associated with it.  For example, Iridium GO!® is a small ‘modem’ that connects your smartphone to the Iridium satellite network.  Simply load the Iridium GO! mobile application to your smartphone, connect it to the Iridium network and place a call.  Iridium GO! provides multiple options to stay in touch. You can check email, send a text, update your social media accounts or send an SOS message when in need.   

The Iridium satellite phone, called Iridium Extreme®, is suitable for users on the move. It has a rugged design that can withstand harsh conditions, and features an SOS-button for emergency situations. The SOS button  automatically dials the GEOS emergency response center, a part of the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), providing a connection to a live support representative.  The SOS-functionality requires users to register online in order to initiate this emergency response service, and once pushed, the SOS button will send location data for response coordination with local public authorities. The button is programmable so corporations or organizations can have emergency calls routed to their internal response center if needed.

How Do I Use A Satellite Device?

An Iridium satellite phone is nearly as easy to use as a regular phone. However, here are some tips to keep you connected at all times. When using your satellite device, it is important that you ensure the device has been fully charged.  When placing a call from a satellite phone, make sure you have a clear view of the sky in order to connect to the network.  To place a call, simply dial 001 (US country code) followed by the phone number.

Having an emergency plan is a necessity in any household.  Ensuring you have a guaranteed and reliable communication source that works with you wherever you go is the best way to stay safe and connected during a disaster.  When preparing for a disaster, be sure to include an Iridium #SatellitePhone and #HotSpot in your emergency kit.  

High Tech Toys

Here are the coolest ways we can find to keep everyone you love safe and connected.  Smart phones, smart watches, smart flash drives that beam data where you need it and a car accessory that diagnoses your engine on the go.  You’re welcome.

Anker PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone

Apple Air Pods

Apple Watch Series 3  

Apple/iTunes Gift Card

Autobrain GPS Tracker for Vehicles

Iridium Extreme Satellite Phone  

Iridium GO! Satellite Phone Wi-Fi Hotspot

BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black

SanDisk 32GB iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone and iPad

Galaxy Fold Z2

IPhone 12 Pro Max

IPhone SE

IPod Touch

Jitterbug Flip Phone

The Ridge Slim RFID Front Pocket Wallet

Tulips In The Breeze Smartphone Case

Red Parrot Smartphone Case

The COVID pandemic has created a new list of toys that people can’t do without — including some very cool high-tech solutions to unexpected challenges.  Like staying healthy and working from home!  Here are some of our favorites.

Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine

I’m Smiling On The Inside Face Masks

iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer

iProvèn Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

KODAK Luma 150 Pocket Projector

No-Touch Door Opener, Button Pusher Tool

Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor

PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer

Sony Tie-Clip-Style Omnidirectional Microphone

Total Gym APEX G5 Total Body Strength Training

Zacurate Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

Updated On 3/2/21

What if I told you that you could put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy with everything it needs to have in it to save your life, in only 2 minutes?

In fact, even if you already have an ICE Contact on your regular Samsung Galaxy or Samsung Galaxy Note, I guarantee that you’re probably missing a few key pieces of information.

And with the way the world has been lately from hurricanes and wildfires to Coronavirus it’s more important than ever! Having an ICE contact is an awesome way keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you.

So what are you waiting for?  Grab your phone and let’s get started!

1  Put the word ICE, all capitals, in the First Name field.

2  Put your ICE Contact’s first and last name in the Last Name field.

3 Type in each and every one of your contact’s phone numbers.  

4 Type in all of your contact’s email addresses — again, every one you have for them.

5  Type in all of your contact’s social media handles/user names in the “Website” section of your contact.  You never know what type of communications will be working in an emergency.

Many people have reached loved ones on Facebook and Twitter, when cell phone and landline service was down.

6  If you don’t already have a field on your phone for Relationship, you can add one by tapping “Add New Field” and choosing the one called, “Relationship”.  Now you can choose Spouse, Friend, Parent — however this particular contact is related to you.

7  Your own allergies, medications and medical history go in the notes section.  Even better capitalize the words ALLERGIES, MEDICATIONS etc. to ensure that they’re seen.

8   You can also add your physician’s names and phone numbers in the notes section and if you like, a link to your own medical history form.  If you don’t have one, you can download one of ours. 

9   Is your contact in different locations on different days?  Add that in the notes section as well.

10   And finally, never, ever put your social security number or insurance member number into your ICE Contact.  You may put the name of your insurance company and their customer service number into the Notes section if you like, but as long as your emergency contact can provide that information when he or she gets to the hospital, it’s probably not necessary.

And by the way, when you set up your Medical ID in your iPhone, don’t forget that in an emergency, you can have your phone share the information in your Medical ID with physicians and first responders. In Health, click on your profile, then tap Medical ID, then Edit and turn on “Share During Emergency Call”.

And there you have it.  One fully loaded ICE Contact.  Two Minutes.

While you’re feeling proactive, don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information.

As amazing as our 2 Minute ICE Contact is, we have a high-powered, fully loaded version in our book “The ICE My Phone Kit” along with step by step directions for ICEing other phones like the IPhone 11, regular Androids and even phones that are, shall we say, not all that smart.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

If I Need Help Tags Provide Life Saving Information For People With Autism

This week we’re honored to have a guest post from Erin Wilson, founder of the non-profit organization If I Need Help and creator of an entire line of If I Need Help wearable QR codes for people with Autism.  Here’s Erin’s story…

My son Jay who has severe Autism was lost at school before and another time at an amusement park.  Thankfully, he was quickly found.  Studies report that wandering is the only cause of death due to Autism and that roughly half of people who have Autism wander from safe places.  The majority being people who have low or nonverbal ability.  My husband and I wanted to create a way to let people who see our son if he is lost to know that he is a person who needs help and then tell them how to help him.  So we started a Non Profit named If I Need Help making personal wearable QR codes, when scanned or manually entered it links to a live profile that can be edited in real time. The code can be printed out with the free membership. Also the Emergency Q&A can be filled in at the Caregiver’s leisure and emailed to first responders during a crisis.

We offer many different ways to wear the code:  patches, pins, clips, keychains, custom iD tags for shoes or necklaces, seat belt alerts and ID cards.  Custom Temporary tats will be out soon.  This way of identification and information is now also helping people with mental illness, memory care or with physical conditions in which they may need help during critical situations. Please go to IfiNeedHelp.org to learn more.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together! We’ll talk later…

Introducing… The ICE My Phone Kit!

Buy Paperback Edition $14.99         Buy Downloadable Edition $5

More Amazing Things You Can Do In 5 Minutes Or Less

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Smartphone

How To Download and Back Up Your Digital Photos

How To Fill Out Your Kid’s Emergency Contact Card

_________________________________________________

The Book Inspired By The Blog. The Backup Plan 3.0

The Backup Plan 3.0, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible.  Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order.  This special Bonus Edition includes 7 downloadable Bonus Books.  Paperback Edition $24.99   Buy now at Amazon.com  Downloadable PDF Edition $8.00  Buy Now       Read more about it

Bulk orders & customization available for your company/organization. Contact us for more details.

No one will ever forget the footage from Superstorm Sandy of family after family searching through the wreckage of their homes for their keepsakes, only to find their most cherished possessions completely ruined. Don’t let this tragedy happen to YOUR parents. In this book you’ll learn how to help them back up their photos, videos, vinyl albums & address books, how to record and safeguard their vital information, medical history and vital documents. $12.95 Buy now at Amazon.com Read more about it

 

Raise Money & Save Lives!  Free Customized Editions of our books make a great fundraiser for your organization, company, or an extra stream of income for you.  

Your Business Continuity Plan May Be Missing Something…  Like your employees, for instance?  If your city is struck by a tornado, earthquake or other disaster, it isn’t just your company that will be affected – so will your employees.  That’s why you need to make sure they’re as prepared for an emergency as YOU are.  Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.  Read More About It

Like Us On Facebook

Follow Us On Twitter

Watch Our How-To Videos On YouTube

Join Us On Pinterest

Free Resources

The Two Minute ICE Contact

Updated On 3/1/21

What if I told you that you could put an ICE Contact on your iPhone with everything it needs to have in it to save your life, in only 2 minutes?

Would you grab your phone and go for it?  Of course you would!  In fact, even if you already have an ICE Contact on your iPhone, I guarantee that you’re  missing a few key things.

And with the way the world has been the last few years — hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and COVID — it’s more important than ever!   Having an ICE contact is an awesome way keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you. 

Whether you have an IPhone SE, IPhone 11, Apple Watch, or a brand new IPhone 12 Pro Max, here is a quick and easy way to put a basic ICE Contact on your phone in just 2 minutes.

Before You Begin… 

If you password lock your phone, you’ll also need to set up the Medical ID on your iPhone.

It’s the only way that a hospital will be able to view your ICE Contact while you’re phone is locked.

So once you’ve finished your ICE Contact, set up the Medical ID on your phone, by clicking on the Health App (that’s the app with the heart that comes pre-loaded onto your phone). Then attach your ICE Contact(s) to the Medical ID so they’ll be easy for an emergency room to spot.  If you need detailed instructions on setting up your Medical ID you can find them in our book “At Your Fingertips“.

Grab your phone and let’s get started!

1 Put the word ICE, all capitals, in the First Name field.

2 Put your ICE Contact’s full name and relationship to you in the Company field.

3  Type in each and every one of your contact’s phone numbers.  

4 Type in all of your contact’s email addresses — again, every one you have for them.

5 Type in all of your contact’s social media handles/user names in the “Website” section of your contact.  

You never know what type of communications will be working in an emergency.  Many people have reached loved ones on Facebook and Twitter, when cell phone and landline service was down.

6 Your own allergies, medications and medical history go in the notes section.  Even better capitalize the words ALLERGIES, MEDICATIONS etc, to ensure that they’re seen.

7  You can also add your physician’s names and phone numbers in the notes section and if you like, a link to your own medical history form. If you don’t have one, you can download one of ours. 

8  Is your contact in different locations on different days?  Add that in the notes section as well.

9  And finally, never, ever put your social security number or insurance member number into your ICE Contact.  You may put the name of your insurance company and their customer service number into the Notes section if you like, but as long as your emergency contact can provide that information when he or she gets to the hospital, it’s probably not necessary.

If you’d also like to add your ICE Contact to your Apple watch, just make sure your contacts are synched with your iPhone and it will show up on your watch’s contacts as well.  To add it to your Health ID on both your iPhone and your Apple Watch, check out one of our other blog posts. 

And there you have it.  One fully loaded ICE Contact.  Two Minutes.

While you’re feeling proactive, don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information.

As amazing as our 2 Minute ICE Contact is, we have a high-powered, fully loaded version in our book “The ICE My Phone Kit” along with step by step directions for ICEing other phones like Samsung Galaxy, regular Androids and even phones that are, shall we say, not all that smart.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

The ICE My Phone Kit

Did you know your smartphone can save your life? It can also save your spouse’s life, your kid’s lives and the lives of everyone you love! The secret is letting your phone do the talking for you in an emergency. How? With ICE, your in case of emergency contact. In “The ICE My Phone Kit” you’ll find step by step directions for ICEing, iPhones, Galaxies, regular Androids, Windows and even flip phones. Paperback Or Instant Download

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

How To Set Up Your ICE Contacts

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Android Smartphone

How To Put An ICE Contact & Medical ID On Your Apple Watch

How To Set Up Your Medical ID & ICE Contact On The iPhone

How to put an ICE Contact on your Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen

Can I Put An ICE Contact On A Password Protected iPhone?

How To Find Your Patient’s Medical Information & ICE Contacts On An iPhone.

Cómo Colocar Un En Caso de Contacto de Emergencia En Su Teléfono Celular

Why Are ICE Contacts So Important?

Create An ICE Contact In 2 Minutes

The Two Things You should NEVER put in your ICE Contact

Don’t Carry A Wallet? Here are 20 Places To Put Your Emergency Wallet Card

Keep The People You Love Safe

How To Keep Your Medical History At Your Fingertips

How To Create A Family Evacuation Plan

How To Fill Out Your Child’s Emergency Contact Card

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

How to Keep From Losing or Destroying Your Smartphone

How to Keep From Losing or Destroying Your Smartphone

Whether your smartphone is just a phone to you or a little mobile assistant that holds all of your most critical information, you’ll probably agree that losing your phone would be a major pain. 

Cell phones and smartphones are basically our links to the outside world.  It wasn’t as much of a problem a few years ago to lose one, because we all had landlines, or office phones, or jobs that actually didn’t depend on constant access to email, voicemail and the internet.  But now, losing, dropping or otherwise destroying your phone is tantamount to putting yourself temporarily out of order! 

Here are a few ways to keep from losing or destroying your phone.

Zomm, The Digital Leash For Your Smartphone

The two things we love most about smartphones are the two things that make them most vulnerable.  They’re small and mobile.  How many times a day do you see someone walking around holding their phone in their hand?  They’re not talking or texting, they’re just holding it.  Until they go to pick up something else.  Then they put it down.  And walk away…  Without it.  Not that you would ever do something like that, right?

Fortunately, now there is a way for your phone to tell you where it is!  It’s called Zomm.   Zomm is a poker chip-sized device that’s a virtual leash for your cell phone.  All you do is put your Zomm on your keychain and if you go more than ten feet away from your phone – or if it “wanders” ten feet away from you – it lets out a loud alert to remind you to go back and grab it ASAP.  It’s also great if someone helps themselves to your phone!  Kind of like giving your phone a way to call for help.

And that’s not all Zomm can do.  With the Zomm car kit, it also becomes a hands-free speakerphone and an emergency panic button.  Just a push of the button summons 911 or a pre-programmed emergency number like your spouse or your friend.  

Find My iPhone or iPad App 

With Find My iPhone, one of Apple’s most popular apps, if you misplace your iPhone or iPad, you can send a signal to your misplaced device, to have it send out a signal so you can locate it, the moment you realize it’s missing.  With the GPS locator built into the app, you can also find the phone via your Mac or iPad.  And if the phone has been stolen, the app also includes a way to immediately wipe it of all information and disable it.  Crisis averted, thanks to Find My iPhone! 

DriFone Smartphone Rescue Dry Case

Have you ever dropped your phone in water?  We haven’t, thank goodness, but we sure have a lot of friends who have, and it can be a nightmare!  People have as many tricks to dry out a waterlogged phone as there are types of cell phones.  But no matter how sure your best friend is that her method works best, there is one tried and true way to bring a drowned phone back to life. 

It’s called DriFone (by the makers of Dry All and it’s a special drying case for smartphones that fits most types of popular phones.  And even if it doesn’t fit your phone, Dry All has a variety of drying bags filled with patented drying material to bring nearly every wet phone back to life.  So if you or your spouse has a tendency to drop phones into water, you should probably keep one or two kits on hand.  

Lookout Phone Backup

The Lookout Mobile Security App, which works with Android and BlackBerry smartphones, can help you locate a missing phone via an onscreen map or lock your phone if it’s lost or stolen.  You can also use it to back up the contacts on your phone and if you lose your phone or if it crashes, you can simply transfer all of your contacts to your new phone. 

While you’re here, be sure to check out our other posts like How To Put An ICE Contact On Your iPhone, or How To ICE Your Samsung Galaxy to learn everything you need to know about ICEing your phone.  And while you’re feeling proactive, don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information.   

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together! We’ll talk later…

Introducing… The ICE My Phone Kit!

Buy Paperback Edition $14.99         Buy Downloadable Edition $5

More Amazing Things You Can Do In 5 Minutes Or Less

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Smartphone

How To Download and Back Up Your Digital Photos

How To Fill Out Your Kid’s Emergency Contact Card

_________________________________________________

The Book Inspired By The Blog. The Backup Plan 3.0

The Backup Plan 3.0, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible.  Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order.  This special Bonus Edition includes 7 downloadable Bonus Books.  Paperback Edition $24.99   Buy now at Amazon.com  Downloadable PDF Edition $8.00  Buy Now       Read more about it

Bulk orders & customization available for your company/organization. Contact us for more details.

No one will ever forget the footage from Superstorm Sandy of family after family searching through the wreckage of their homes for their keepsakes, only to find their most cherished possessions completely ruined. Don’t let this tragedy happen to YOUR parents. In this book you’ll learn how to help them back up their photos, videos, vinyl albums & address books, how to record and safeguard their vital information, medical history and vital documents. $12.95 Buy now at Amazon.com Read more about it

 

Raise Money & Save Lives!  Free Customized Editions of our books make a great fundraiser for your organization, company, or an extra stream of income for you.  

Your Business Continuity Plan May Be Missing Something…  Like your employees, for instance?  If your city is struck by a tornado, earthquake or other disaster, it isn’t just your company that will be affected – so will your employees.  That’s why you need to make sure they’re as prepared for an emergency as YOU are.  Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.  Read More About It

Like Us On Facebook

Follow Us On Twitter

Watch Our How-To Videos On YouTube

Join Us On Pinterest

Free Resources

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Mobile Command Center

Updated On 9/28/21

What if I told you…

…there was one thing that you own and probably have with you right now, that can give you the support, the information and ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are?   What is it?  

It’s your smartphone.

And with the way the world has been the last few years — from hurricanes to wildfires, tornadoes and oh yeah, COVID — having an tricked out emergency ready phone is the perfect way to keep your family safe and connected no matter WHAT is happening around you.

Our goal for today is simple.

If you had to face a major emergency minutes from now and the only thing you had with you was your smartphone, you should be able to:

• Call or communicate with all the people you love within 10 minutes.

• Communicate your basic medical information and your emergency contacts to emergency personnel even if you are injured and unable to speak for yourself.

• Keep yourself and your family up and running using only the information in your phone until you reach home or your pre-planned evacuation location.

• Access all of the emergency forms and plans you created and all of the data, photos, videos, movies and other items you saved and stored while reading our blog.

Now if you’ve been following the blog for any length of time, you’ve probably already created your family action/emergency plans.  If not, just click on the links throughout the post so you can catch up.  

In a moment we’re going to tell you how to store copies of these forms in your smartphone. If you would also like to have a hard copy of your emergency plans to refer to as well, grab a sturdy three-ring notebook and print out a copy of each of your Action Plans along with any other information that you want to include.    Make sure that form or plan has its own tab, so that you can easily find or replace outdated pages.   We suggest using a ring binder that has a hard, washable, vinyl cover and pockets to catch papers, maps or any other items that can easily become lost.

https://getyourstufftogether.com/wordpress/

Your ICE Contacts

If you haven’t already finished putting ICE Contacts on your phone and the rest of the family’s phones, do it now.  Make sure that your contact and your spouse’s contact contains links to every other family member’s medical information sheet.

The Rest Of The Family

When you created your Family Evacuation Plan, you detailed each family member’s email addresses, text, user names and cell numbers on the plan.  Now it’s time to take that one step further by making sure each member of your family’s smartphones have:

• Every other family member’s complete contact information, including all social media handles and work/school schedules.

• Full contact information for each Out Of Area Contact.

• A copy of your Family Evacuation Plan.

• The addresses and phone numbers of these two meeting places highlighted in their Contacts.

• An extra copy of their emergency wallet cards.

Are you ready to pull it all together?  Here’s how to turn your smartphone into your very own Mobile Command Center.

There are three types of information that you might need in an emergency:

#1  Need Actual Forms And Plans

These forms and plans are crucial for emergencies large and small, so you should definitely keep them at your fingertips – or in this case, right on your smartphone.  Unless you have Microsoft Word software on your phone, save each of them as PDFs and place them on Dropbox or iCloud or other online file service so that you can open and read them right on your phone. 

You may also want to save them directly onto your phone or tablet so that they will be available if your cell phone or Wi-Fi service is down.  There are a couple of ways to do this.   If you can find  the directions on how to save a PDF onto your smartphone from the phone’s manufacturer, just follow those directions.  

#2 Need Access To These Forms And Plans

These forms may contain some sensitive information, so instead of saving them directly onto your phone, place them on a secure password protected server or password protected Cloud-based server, like Dropbox, iCloud or Sky Drive and place the link to those folders in a special document or contact on your smartphone.  Do not store the password with the link.  

One important note:  DO NOT put your or your family’s social security numbers in your list of vital information, or in online files or folders, no matter how secure they are.  If you have to have those numbers with you (and haven’t memorized them), copy the originals and place the copies in a secure safe deposit box instead.    If you need that information during an emergency or evacuation, wait to retrieve it until you can access it on your computer or portable hard drive in your secure location.

#3 Need Access To This Archived Data

Since you’ve already saved all of these important keepsakes and documents to your portable hard drives, online file folders and placed backup copies in your safe deposit boxes, they should be very easy for you to access even if you are in your evacuation location, right? 

That’s what we thought!

If you’ve chosen to save these keepsakes on a secure password protected server or password protected Cloud-based server, like Dropbox, iCloud or One Drive and place the link to those folders in a special contact on your smartphone.  That way if you want to pull up some photos, or music, just make sure that everything is safe, you can just click the link on your smartphone and you’ll have all the access you need. 

And once your phone is ready to keep you safe, remember to keep it safe with a sturdy (and beautiful!) new case like this one, or this one.

While you’re here, be sure to check out our other posts like How To Put An ICE Contact On Your iPhone, or How To ICE Your Samsung Galaxy to learn everything you need to know about ICEing your phone.  And while you’re feeling proactive, don’t forget to put ICE Contacts on your spouse’s and kid’s phones too, along with each other’s contact information.   

High Tech Toys

Here are the coolest ways we can find to keep everyone you love safe and connected.  Smart phones, smart watches, smart flash drives that beam data where you need it and a car accessory that diagnoses your engine on the go.  You’re welcome.

Anker PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone

Apple Air Pods

Apple Watch Series 3  

Apple/iTunes Gift Card

Autobrain GPS Tracker for Vehicles

Iridium Extreme Satellite Phone  

Iridium GO! Satellite Phone Wi-Fi Hotspot

BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black

SanDisk 32GB iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone and iPad

Galaxy Fold Z2

IPhone 12 Pro Max

IPhone SE

IPod Touch

Jitterbug Flip Phone

The Ridge Slim RFID Front Pocket Wallet

Tulips In The Breeze Smartphone Case

Red Parrot Smartphone Case

The COVID pandemic has created a new list of toys that people can’t do without — including some very cool high-tech solutions to unexpected challenges.  Like staying healthy and working from home!  Here are some of our favorites.

Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine

I’m Smiling On The Inside Face Masks

iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer

iProvèn Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

KODAK Luma 150 Pocket Projector

No-Touch Door Opener, Button Pusher Tool

Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor

PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer

Sony Tie-Clip-Style Omnidirectional Microphone

Total Gym APEX G5 Total Body Strength Training

Zacurate Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

As great as the command center you just created is, we have even more stuff in our book “The ICE My Phone Kit” along with step by step directions for ICEing iPhones, Galaxies, regular androids and even phones that are, shall we say, not all that smart.

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

 

Keep Everything You Love Safe | The Book Inspired By The Blog

Keep Everything You Love Safe, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible. Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order. Paperback Or Instant Download

Keep The Stuff You Love Safe

How To Save Your Treasured Voice Mail Messages

How To Save Your Home Movies And Videos

How To Archive Your Digital Photos

How To Archive Your Print Photos

How To Make A Home Inventory

How To Get Your Financial Life In Order

How To Preserve Your Family History

How To Back Up Your Facebook Friends List

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Mobile Command Center

How To Backup Your Music, MP3s And Vinyl Albums

How To Access Your Money No Matter Where You Are

As Amazon Associates we earn commissions from qualifying purchases made from product links.

ICE Contacts Help Save Lives During Terrorist Attacks And Urban Violence

With urban violence and terrorist attacks at an all-time high, families across the US and around the world are looking for new ways to help keep their children and their loved ones safe. 

After attacks in Brussels, Paris and the shootings in San Bernardino, as well as many others in workplaces, on military posts, in schools and theaters, people need quick, easy-to-use solutions to keep the people they love safe and sound.

Every time we watch the news, we can’t help but think that none of the bystanders who were injured, had any idea that they would end up in the hospital that day.  And yet here they are,  fighting for their lives.  

In fact, simply living in a metropolitan area, makes people more at risk for allergies, asthma and other medical conditions that make them even more likely to need specialized care in a medical emergency.

That’s why putting an ICE Contact on your phone, as well as your spouse’s and children’s phones is so critically important.

But as vital as an ICE Contact is, many people simply type in the name of one emergency contact, along with their phone number and stop there.

What they don’t realize is that they are missing out on a real opportunity to let their phone do the talking for them in a medical emergency. Especially when lives could be hanging in the balance.  

This is one instance where spending five minutes with your phone truly can save your life.  Here are a few resources designed to help keep you and your family safer:

Introducing… The ICE My Phone Kit!

Buy Paperback Edition $14.95         Buy Downloadable Edition $5

How To Put An ICE Contact On Your iPhone

How To Put An ICE Contact On Your Samsung Galaxy 

How To Put An ICE Contact On Your Windows Phone

Download The 2 Minute ICE Contact (quick instructions for iPhones)

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together! We’ll talk later…

Bulk orders & customization available.  The ICE My Phone Kit is just one of the books in our new Backup Plan Resource Library.  They’re the perfect benefit for your employees and customers. 

More Amazing Things You Can Do In 5 Minutes Or Less

How To Set Up An ICE Contact On Your Smartphone

How To Download and Back Up Your Digital Photos

How To Fill Out Your Kid’s Emergency Contact Card

_________________________________________________

The Book Inspired By The Blog. The Backup Plan 3.0

The Backup Plan 3.0, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible.  Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order.  This special Bonus Edition includes 7 downloadable Bonus Books.  Paperback Edition $24.99   Buy now at Amazon.com  Downloadable PDF Edition $8.00  Buy Now       Read more about it

No one will ever forget the footage from Superstorm Sandy of family after family searching through the wreckage of their homes for their keepsakes, only to find their most cherished possessions completely ruined. Don’t let this tragedy happen to YOUR parents. In this book you’ll learn how to help them back up their photos, videos, vinyl albums & address books, how to record and safeguard their vital information, medical history and vital documents. $12.95 Buy now at Amazon.com Read more about it

 

Your Business Continuity Plan May Be Missing Something…  Like your employees, for instance?  If your city is struck by a tornado, earthquake or other disaster, it isn’t just your company that will be affected – so will your employees.  That’s why you need to make sure they’re as prepared for an emergency as YOU are.  Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.  Read More About It

Raise Money & Save Lives!  Free Customized Editions of our books make a great fundraiser for your organization, company, or an extra stream of income for you.

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Free Resources

Mobile App Helps Emergency Personnel Treat Patients With Autism

Updated On 3/2/21

ICE4Autism provides person-specific, actionable information for quicker more efficient and effective treatment of individuals with ASD

The successful outcome of any interaction between a subject/casualty and first responders depends, along with other variables, on the emergency response team’s rapid access to critical details about the individual right inside their Galaxy or iPhone. This is particularly true when the person has a unique set of needs about which the first responders may be unaware – such as those associated with autism.

Emergency response personnel are tasked with responding to ALL calls, including those involving individuals with special needs. They are expected to respond not only professionally but compassionately, an expectation that implies a seemingly allusive understanding of person-specific needs and sensitivities.

AUTISM

The Centers for Disease Control describes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as: “developmental disabilities that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests”. Autism is a ‘spectrum disorder’ that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees meaning that no two people with autism are alike. Furthermore, the prevalence of autism is not affected by race, region, or socio-economic status.

Individuals with an ASD often suffer from additional co-morbid diagnoses which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, and more. And, in contrast to physical disabilities, in many cases without explicit knowledge or information, an onlooker will have no idea that a person has autism — and it is, therefore, often referred to as an “invisible disability”.

Since autism was first diagnosed in the U.S. its incidence has climbed from one in 10,000 to one in 68 children making it the country’s single fastest growing developmental disability. As children with autism grow up, they do not “outgrow” their autism, but rather develop, to varying degrees, an array of skills to cope with their unique communication, social and behavioral differences.

FIRST RESPONDERS AND AUTISM

Current statistics estimate that over the next 10 years half a million teens with autism will transition into adulthood. Furthermore, research has shown that individuals with autism are seven to 10 times more likely than their neurotypical peers to interact with first responders. Therefore the probability of interactions between emergency response personnel and those with autism increases with each passing day.

What does this mean in practical terms? Let us consider the following scenario:

A 9-1-1 call comes in that a young adult, 6 foot tall, 250 lb male has been involved in a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident. He is conscious but not responding to the good Samaritans’ questions.

When the first responders arrive, they start by asking the young man his name… no response. They ask him if he is in pain…No response. He becomes agitated and starts flapping his hands rapidly and repetitively.

Has the young man not heard the questions? Does he not understand English? Has the crash caused head trauma resulting in disorientation? Perhaps he is diabetic and low blood sugar is causing his confusion?

What should the first responders do? In the worst case scenario, they are left to guess, make assumptions and precede based on standard operating procedures that may, or may not, be the best course of treatment. Or, in the best case scenario, they have easy and efficient access to the information about the young man that would help them understand his needs and treat him properly.

THE ICE CONCEPT

The “ICE” — In Case of Emergency – concept is the brain-child of Bob Brotchie, a former senior paramedic and current psychotherapy counsellor. A combination of Bob’s professional experience and his own emergency incident, led to his “lightbulb” moment: a uniform method adopted by both the public and first responders for providing and accessing emergency contact information in case of emergency – ICE.  The goal was for people to enter their emergency contact(s) information into their mobile phones using the ICE preface thereby informing first responders who to contact.

In 2005, only a few months after Bob first conceived of the idea, ICE went viral. It got the attention of both the general public and of the first responder community. As time passed and mobile technology evolved, so did the use and implementation of ICE on mobile devices. The public’s reliance on smartphones, along with their becoming an essential accessory to be kept on-hand at all times, yielded an array of ICE mobile apps. This 21^st century implementation of the ICE concept broadened its capability and value: in addition to emergency contact information, many of the apps also store a variety of medical history, medications, allergy, insurance and other details that can help first responders in their assessment and treatment of injured, confused or unconscious patients.

Historically, first responders have looked for a wallet card or document in a subject’s wallet; now, with the advent of ICE apps, they have an additional potential resource on the person’s smartphone.

AUTISM, ICE4Autism AND THE EMERGENCY SITUATION

Easy and efficient access to specific information about an autistic person’s communication challenges and needs, their unique behaviors and triggers, sensitivities, allergies, medical information and their emergency contacts can dramatically improve the outcome of any emergency response interaction. ICE4Autism – the only autism-specific in case of emergency (ICE) mobile app – gives people on the spectrum and first responders a practical solution they’ve never had before. Instead of relying on efforts to directly communicate with the person – who may be unconscious, altered and/or have communication challenges – first responders can use ICE4Autism to quickly obtain the person-specific, actionable information they need to treat the individual appropriately.

Returning to our scenario, the ICE4Autism app could inform the responders that yes, in fact, the young man had heard their questions and did understand English, but that he needed a bit more time to process the questions and to respond. They might also learn that no, he does not have diabetes, but that he does have sensory integration dysfunction making the sirens and/or bright lights a contributing factor to his agitation and difficulty focusing. They may be informed that the repetitive hand flapping is a calming mechanism he implements and that they should allow him to continue unless there is a critical reason to make him stop. The app would also tell them how to contact the people who (most likely) know him best, can help with additional information, treatment decisions and, most importantly, can come to his side and provide him with the love and support that everyone needs and benefits from in an emergency.

CONCLUSION

To overcome the unique challenges presented by the increasing incidence of interactions between the first responder and autism communities, both parties benefit from the exploitation of newly-available 21^st century tools. The broad utilization of the ICE4Autism mobile app throughout the autism community will enhance first responders’ abilities to provide needs-aware and person-specific care thereby improving outcomes and quality of care.

Emergency personnel have lauded ICE4Autism for its ease-of-use, practicality and innovation. Individuals on the spectrum have expressed their appreciation for app’s elimination of generalizations and assumptions about people with autism by enabling each person to include his/her unique and specific information. And, in awarding ICE4Autism the “Best of ICE” designation, Bob Brotchie, founder of the ICE concept, described the app as: Affordable, intuitive, respectful – and most of all – of value. ICE4Autism is a game-changer for anyone who has the potential to experience difficulties communicating their needs in the emergency scenario.”

Both first responders and members of the autism community should leverage new technologies and forward-thinking solutions to improve the outcomes of their inevitable interactions with each other.  The integration of such tools will enhance the quality of care individuals with autism receive and the ability of first responders to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.

MORE INFORMATION:

On the Web: www.ICE4Autism.com

On the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/app/ice4autism/id969601780?mt=8

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ice4autism/

On Twitter: @ICE4Autism (https://twitter.com/ICE4Autism)

Wanda Refaely, Founder & Chief ICE Cube: 

Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!

At Your Fingertips | Make Your Smartphone Even Smarter

What if I told you, there was something you have with you right now, that can give you the support, information & ability you need to keep everyone and everything you love safe and sound, PLUS the power to gather your family in seconds no matter where they are. What is it? It’s your smartphone! At Your Fingertips is an easy to read, easy to use guide that turns your smartphone into your very own life preserver. Paperback Or Instant Download

 

Keep Everything You Love Safe | The Book Inspired By The Blog

Keep Everything You Love Safe, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible. Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order. Paperback Or Instant Download

 

Keep The Stuff You Love Safe

How To Save Your Treasured Voice Mail Messages

How To Save Your Home Movies And Videos

How To Archive Your Digital Photos

How To Archive Your Print Photos

How To Make A Home Inventory

How To Get Your Financial Life In Order

How To Preserve Your Family History

How To Back Up Your Facebook Friends List

Turn Your Smartphone Into A Mobile Command Center

How To Backup Your Music, MP3s And Vinyl Albums

How To Access Your Money No Matter Where You Are