By Kathy Cooper
It’s easy to do and it’s important. If you are in an automobile accident or other emergency, you want certain people contacted without delay. Did you know that the national average is SIX HOURS before law enforcement can locate the next of kin? Think about this situation: You pass out at the mall. Someone calls 911 and the emergency squad arrives. After checking your wallet, all they can find is your driver’s license. Who do they call to make sure you have someone who can represent you if you are unable to speak for yourself? This is the problem.
There are some smart steps to take so that your loved ones are contacted if you are in this type of emergency situation.
Smart Step Number 1: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has a special program that allows you to keep contact information for two people on record with them. Once you sign up, law enforcement officials have immediate access to your emergency contacts.
Here is how it works in Ohio …
- Go to this website: BMV Emergency Contact Sign-Up
- Enter your driver’s license number, your date of birth and the last four numbers of your Social Security Card where indicated
- After entering a security code, you will be asked for the names, phone numbers and optional addresses of two contact individuals.
Smart Step Number 2: Think about having an emergency card. At the Cooper Law Firm, we provide our clients with an emergency card that lists up to three emergency contacts. The contacts are those listed on our client’s health care directives and HIPAA authorizations. This is important because your contacts must present these documents to emergency personnel in order to have access to your medical records and to make decisions about your healthcare if you are unable to do so.
Smart Step Number 3: Update your emergency information on a regular basis! As I was writing this article, I checked my BMV information and, lo and behold, I had an old address for one of my daughters who recently moved to Baltimore! Be wise, set a reminder in your calendar to check your emergency contacts at least once each year.
If you would like to discuss this or any other issues relating to aging, please contact the Cooper Law Firm.
