A Child Safety Seat Occupant Identification Program
"We Have A Little Emergency"
“We Have A Little Emergency”
In 2002, 63,000 children under age four were involved in automobile crashes. These crashes happen when children ride with parents, as well as with others, such as grandparents, neighbors and babysitters. If the adult in the vehicle is seriously injured and unable to talk, emergency personnel have no easy way of identifying the child or his/her special needs – vital information that can help rescue efforts go more smoothly.
Sometimes, just knowing the child’s name can help rescue workers comfort a frightened child, while knowing whom to contact in an emergency allows them to notify parents or the next closest relative right away. That’s when WHALE – “We Have A Little Emergency” can make a difference.
The WHALE Program
WHALE is an identification program that started in the early 1990s by Connie Day, a child caregiver in Virginia, who wondered what would happen to the children in her care in the event of a car crash. The program is now recognized and used by emergency personnel in 34 states.
Communities find it easy to participate in the program. All you need to do is complete the enclosed information card and place it in the plastic self-adhesive holder which adheres to the back of the child safety seat, and put the self-adhesive stickers on your rear side car windows and on the sides of the child safety seat.
While driving to the store with her 8-month-old grandson, a grandmother lost control of her car and crashed into a tree. The infant suffered only a few bruises,but the grandmother was knocked unconscious. When rescue workers arrived on the scene, they had no way of identifying the baby or collecting vital medical information about him. Fortunately, both the grandmother and infant received the treatment they needed, but rescue workers felt that they could have been much more effective if they had only known the child’s name and pertinent emergency information.
“Hey, I’m just a little person. I don’t know my name, address, phone number or how to reach my relatives. Please help me by adding WHALE stickers to my child safety seat. In the event of a crash, emergency personnel will know who I am and how to contact someone who really knows my special needs. Thanks for loving and caring about me.”
Your Little Person
A Few Things To Keep In Mind
It’s a good idea to pass on WHALE information and materials to others who routinely drive your child.
Remember to note corrections on the information card as details change, and update the child’s picture.
Remove the information card from the seat if you sell or give the seat away.
Fill in all pertinent information on this card (child’s name, date of birth, medical history and emergency contacts), and affix the child’s photo to the card (optional). To ensure privacy of these personal facts, place the card in the holder and fasten it to the back
of the safety seat where it will not be visible from outside of the vehicle.
TWO WHALE SAFETY SEAT STICKERS:
These stickers include the WHALE logo and should be attached to the sides of the safety seat so they are easily seen.
TWO WHALE VEHICLE WINDOW STICKERS:
These stickers include the WHALE logo and should be attached to the inside of the lower rear corner of the vehicle’s side windows. This lets rescuers know that the occupants participate in WHALE and that they can find important information on the back of the child safety seat.
