Get Organized: Having an In Case of Emergency Card could save your life

A few months ago while I was having dinner with my 25-year-old niece, the server asked to see some identification before he would be able to take her drink order, which, of course, she didn’t have with her, because … well, because ... 

Being the maddeningly concerned aunt that I am, I gave her my standard “you-need-to-be-more-prepared-and-responsible” speech, which unfortunately went in one ear, landing who knows where.

Excuse the generalization, but regrettably, my niece, like most of her peers, thinks she’s impervious to the realities of life, including death and accidents. She is not.

When I suggested she carry an In Case of Emergency Card (I.C.E. Card), or at least her driver’s license with her at all times, she looked at me like I had two heads.

No matter if you’re young or old; single, divorced, widowed or married; a college or high school student; senior citizen, baby boomer, millennial; mother or father; businesswoman or businessman, every adult should carry an up-to-date I.C.E. Card in his/her wallet at all times.

Download:In case of emergency card (Part 1)

Download:In case of emergency card (Part 2)

Should there be an emergency, it could make the difference between life and death.

This does not mean entering the name and contact number of a close friend or relative into your smartphone, but it does mean taking the time to write down the pertinent information, put it in your wallet and carry it with you at all times.

Storing emergency contact information in your smartphone is NOT the answer. What happens if your battery dies or there’s no cellular connection or you left your phone at home? And have you thought about what would happen if someone needed to use your phone and it was password-protected (or thumbprint or facial recognition protected)? Or, you’re in a car accident and your phone is mangled or lost?

More:In a Flash! Pet safety before, during & after a hurricane

More:The key to a carefree vacation is in how you organize your documents

Following is a list of the essential information to include on your personal I.C.E. Card, which should be reviewed and updated on an annual basis:

• My name is: No nicknames, use your full and legal name
• Winter residence: Including unit number and ZIP code
• Summer residence: Including unit number and ZIP code
• In Case of Emergency, contact 1: List name and contact information (mobile, home, work)
•  In Case of Emergency, contact 2: List name and contact information (mobile, home, work)
• I have an Advanced Medical Directive: Provide name of lawyer and all contact information. If you have a “do not resuscitate” directive, ask your lawyer for a wallet-sized card to carry with you.
• Physicians’ names: List primary care physician(s) and contact number(s). (winter and summer homes)
• I am ALLERGIC to: List all allergies to foods, medicines, natural events such as bee stings
• Contact lens: Yes/No
• Blood type: If available
• I have a MEDICAL CONDITION: Provide a brief explanation of the condition
• MEDICINES I am currently taking: List all medications and dosage

If you live in an apartment or condominium, make sure the property manager or superintendent has a copy of this information on file, as well as a key to your home in case of emergency.

More:Get Organized: Travel essentials the organizer can’t live without

More:Get Organized — In a Flash! Hurricane Preparation: 5 must-do’s — or else!

If you have pets, add the following information and make sure your veterinarian has a copy on file as well:

• I have a dog (or cat); for entry into my home, contact: List neighbor’s name and contact number and/or property manager’s name and contact number
• Under no circumstances should my pet (list name) be taken to an animal shelter of any kind. Call: List veterinarian’s name and contact information

To help you with the task of preparing your own I.C.E. Card, the Neapolitan section’s graphic artist and I have prepared an easy-to-use template for you to print out and complete. It is available as a downloadable PDF at naplesnews.com . Trust me, all of the required information will fit.

Remember, there’s only one thing worse than not having an I.C.E. Card and that’s having one riddled with errors and incorrect information. Before printing and laminating your I.C.E. Card, be sure to triple-check everything to ensure accuracy.

In addition to carrying an I.C.E. Card, carry current copies of your health and supplemental health insurance cards in your wallet.

Finally, if you’re one of those people who figures someone else is driving, so why bother carrying any identification, do you want me to recite the statistics of how many John and Jane Does lie in the morgue or hospital emergency rooms for days waiting to be identified? Be smart and be safe.

More:Get Organized: Use our hurricane checklist to prepare for this year's hurricane season

More:Get Organized: Foolproof ways to organize all your shoes

Naples' Premier Professional Organizer Marla Ottenstein offers expert residential and corporate professional organizing services. Licensed & Insured. Member: National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Her column appears on the first Friday of each month. For more information: ProfessionalOrganizerFlorida.com or on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ProfessionalOrganizerFlorida. Send questions about how to get and stay organized, to be addressed in future columns.