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Saint Barnabas Medical Center Auxiliary Offers Helmet Emergency Labels for Youngsters LIVINGSTON, NJ -- It’s a typical spring day; children are bicycling, in-line skating and skate boarding. It changes in a flash with the horrible screech of tires. A car has hit a young girl. An ambulance arrives but no one knows the child’s name or where she lives. If she were an adult, she would possibly have a driver’s license in her pocket. But what kind of identification does a child carry? Visit this same scene again, but this time the paramedics know the girl’s name, they can contact the girl’s parents and know if she has any drug allergies. How? By looking inside her safety helmet, which all children under age 14 are required by law to wear when bicycling, in-line skating or skate boarding. A label with all the necessary emergency information has been securely placed inside her helmet. In an effort to help protect the health of local youth, the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Auxiliary is offering a Helmet Emergency Labeling Program (HELP). The program provides free emergency information labels to parents to place inside their children’s safety helmets. “Each year over 71,000 children are treated in emergency departments statewide for head injuries due to bicycle, skate boarding or roller-blading accidents.” According to John Brenman, M.D., FAAP, FACEP, Director of Saint Barnabas Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Services. “Labels inside a child’s helmet provide the child’s name and emergency contacts in case of illness or injury, but also provide details of any known allergies or pre-existing medical conditions,” Dr. Brennan explained. “This information makes providing medical care more efficient and could even save a child’s life.” Auxiliary Board Members and HELP Coordinator Annette Calabrese said that the emergency labels are an added community service provided by Saint Barnabas, helping parents ensure their children’s safety. ”Helping provide some peace of mind to the community is part of the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Auxiliary’s mission.” With help from area school systems, the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Auxiliary plans to distribute labels throughout Livingston, West Orange, South Orange, Maplewood and Florham Park. Those outside of these areas, who are interested in receiving complimentary labels for their families should call Community Health Services at Saint Barnabas Medical Center at (973) 322-4322. [ top ] |
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