There is some security in knowing that if I had some medical emergency while jogging along the community fitness trail in town, that first responders will immediately have access to my name, my parents’ cell phone numbers, and the fact that I’m allergic to Penicillin. While I’m only 42 years old, things happen– I could have a heart attack, get hit by a bus, or pass out for some reason.
I bought the Road ID bracelet for myself, and one for each of my kids, after reading a news story about a man in New York who had died from a heart attack while out on his morning jog. Because he had no ID on him, it took a couple of weeks to find out who he was and notify his family. So many athletes don’t carry their driver’s license while they jog or ride a bike or rollerblade or kayak. But, my Road ID has recently had another practical use.
It was a Saturday afternoon. I had returned home from the grocery store, and after setting my keys and phone on the counter, called up to the tweedles so they could help carry in the groceries. One by one, they made their way outside, right along with our dog, Roscoe. Demolition Man, however, not realizing Roscoe was already outside, and not wanting him to get out, closed the door behind him. The doorknob was locked– my fault, I always re-lock it right away after I unlock it. Just a habit.
None of us had shoes on. My phone was in the house. Because I’m lazy and always have Siri dial for me, I didn’t know my mom’s cell phone number to borrow a neighbor’s phone to call her to bring the spare key. I was contemplating how on earth I was going to manage to walk the 2 miles to my mom’s house, without shoes, and with a dog and no leash, when Demolition Man exclaimed, “Your bracelet!”
Yes! My Road ID bracelet! Sitting right on my wrist, hidden in plain sight, was my mom and dad’s phone numbers! Relieved, I knocked on my neighbor’s door and asked if I could borrow her phone. Mom showed up a short time later to let us into the house, and we were able to get all the groceries put away before anything spoiled.
Now that I’ve moved from the East coast to the West coast, I’m ordering new Road IDs for the tweedles and myself, with new emergency contact numbers. Demolition Man rides his bike to school, and Cuddle Bug and Taker ride the bus. I’m a worst-case-scenario girl, so knowing that they’ll have instant access to emergency information will give me some peace of mind.
What about you? Is there a situation you’ve encountered where you wish you’d had an emergency phone number on hand… or wrist?
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