...to remind you all about ICE ?

[LadyThumb]

An ICE (In Case of Emergency) number should be in all mobile phones as this is the first thing the emergency services look for on a mobile. It definitely should be put into childrens' phones. If you want to know more please look at this:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_case_of_emergency

I have it in my family's phones and it was used last night during New Tricks.

[thursday]

yes i have this in my phone, have done for a long time.

[wannaBe]

most people have "home" in their phone, surely?

[thursday]

i dont want my landline ringing in emergency though, i want my husbands mobile.

[LadyThumb]

'Home' is great - as long as someone is actually there wannaBe !

[mousymouse]

if I am not "home" no one is. so "home" is not really usefull.
I have ICE1 = dh and ICE2 = best friend on my mobile for that reason.

[Unlurked]

Surely most people have a pin code on their phone?

[milkysmum]

Have had my dh down as ICE for a while now after reading about is somewhere- maybe on mn!?

[LadyFlumpalot]

Both I and DF have it - but it wasn't used when he had a car crash. It took me repeatedly ringing his mobile (to find out where he was - was worried) before a policeman picked it up and informed me - several hours after he had crashed - after he had been ailifted to hospital and while the police were cleaning the belongings out of his car.

[NewbeeMummy]

Just to add my 2p on the matter. If you have a phone that has password or pin to unlock it - have your ICE number displayed on the background screen, otherwise no one can access it.

[LadyFlumpalot]

Thats a very good point unlurked. I certainly do, and would never have thought of it! Df doesn't though, so still no excuse there!

[LadyThumb]

Now that is a really good idea NewbeeMummy for those with pin numbers.

[Unlurked]

That's a good idea newbee, I wouldn't have thought of that!

[wannaBe]

yep, I have a pin code on my phone. most people I know do.

[BsshBossh]

Keep forgetting to do this so many thanks for reminding me. Have now programmed ICE1 DH, ICE2 Mum, ICE3 MIL.

[GetOrfMoiSamsungFridgeFreezer]

Isn't the ICE thing a load of old baloney, and an urban myth that cops or whatever would look for ICE in a mobile.

Mine has a pin on it anyway.

I think the sensible thing would be to go through last dialled numbers.

[scurryfunge]

I don't know any cops that would look for ICE. Most phones are locked. You shouldn't be informing family of serious accidents etc by phone anyway unless there is absolutely no option (which is rare).

[JanMorrow]

Do the emergency services genuinely use this though? Can someone who works as a paramedic or in A&E confirm this at all? Because it seems unlikely to me, although logically it does make sense so not knocking it!

[mousymouse]

I just attended a first aid course (red cross), the instructor said that they do look for the ICE number on the phone, but also talk to the injured person (if possible).
my dh has his ICE on his screen-saver on his fancy phone.

[caffevalium]

What used to happen before mobile phones?

[wannaBe]

I think that since most phones are protected by a pin code, and realistically no-one wants to have someone else's phone number as their screensaver which in itself is unwise since if the phone is stolen then you are revealing someone's identity to the thief, the idea is not that workable anyway.

[BlooferLady]

OP were you watching 'New Tricks' last night?!

'tis wise advice though.

[fireblademum]

Android market has several ice apps. Many have capacity for several numbers and basic info like allergies. Some can be accessed from the lock screen. Mine is a red cross icon on home screen.