For Immediate Release

March 4, 2004

Mercy Memorial Volunteers Distribute Child Safety Seat Identification Packets

Ardmore -When the adult driver in an auto accident is unable to communicate vital health information about a child passenger to emergency personnel on the scene, critical moments may be wasted. Volunteers at Mercy Memorial and other Oklahoma hospital auxiliaries are working with the Oklahoma Hospital Association to distribute potentially lifesaving child safety seat identification packets statewide. The WHALE (We Have a Little Emergency) packets will be made available to anyone who transports infants and children in car seats, free of charge.

"We feel very strongly about the WHALE program," said Rose Thompson, Mercy Memorial auxiliary and committee member. "Emergency personnel often have trouble obtaining emergency contact information and other vital information from a child. This little sticker will help elevate many of those questions and at least give workers a good starting point when faced with an emergency situation."

Persons interested in the packets may contact the Mercy Memorial auxiliary department, or as of Friday March 5, stop by the hospital's main information desk in the front lobby and pick one up. Each packet contains an informational brochure, two window decals, two stickers for the car seat, a pouch to attach to the back of the car seat and an identification card. Although the pouch will not be visible when attached to the back of the car seat, emergency personnel throughout the state have been notified to look for the stickers and where to locate the information pouch. The card can then be removed from the holder and transported with the child.

With the information provided on the card, emergency personnel can contact the child's doctor and relatives immediately in order to access important medical information. "I think this is a great safety precaution for anyone with young children," said Tobi Ervin, auxiliary manager. "Not only does it serve the obvious purpose of being able to contact doctors and family members but it can also have a calming effect on a child if emergencies crews are able to call the child by name."

"We think the stickers should be installed by everyone-not just parents. It would be beneficial for anyone who regularly transports young children to have one in their car just in case," said Thompson.

Mercy Memorial Health Center is a member of Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System-St. Louis.

###