Do you have a red sticker on your refrigerator door? If not, you might want one; it might just save your life.
After a year of positive feedback, the Independence Township Fire Department is continuing to offer its ‘Vial of Life? program, an endeavor to keep members of the community safe in a medical emergency.
‘We’ve been doing it for a about a year,? Robert Cesario, emergency medical service coordinator for the department, said. ‘It’s a good program.?
In cooperation with American Medical Alarms, the company that owns the ‘Vial? name, the department distributed more than 500 vials in the first six months of the program.
‘We were really busy at first,? Cesario said.
The vial is a large pill bottle with a bright red fire department sticker on the front. The bottles were donated by a cooperative agreement with Walgreens drug store.
Inside the vial is a brochure with space to write down important medical information, such as medications a person is on, allergies and personal information. Another red sticker is included to place on a refrigerator door to alert emergency officials when on call to the house.
‘All the vital information for that person is available to us,? Cesario said. ‘Things we probably need to know while we’re taking care of that person.?
Extra forms are available for houses with more than one person wanting to document important information.
‘It comes in handy when the individual can’t communicate very well,? Cesario said.
Cesario has found the majority of the vials were used by seniors and children learning about fire safety for their families.
The program appears to be working. Cesario noted a few occasions where emergency technicians found the vials inside refrigerators while on call and were able to put them to good use.
‘We’ve gotten a few calls where our guys have seen the labels,? Cesario said.
Vials are currently available at Walgreens, the Independence Township Senior Center and Parks and Recreation Department and all fire stations. There is no cost for the vial.
‘This is just another something to give back to the community with,? Cesario said. ‘Hopefully they’ll find it useful.?