I.C.E (In Case of Emergency)

[CyberGuy]

Hot Trend: Must-Have Cell Phone Number

Open your cell phone now. Look at the list of people and choose the one you would want to be notified in case you're involved in an accident or emergency. Then add the letters ICE before that name. ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency" and is a designation emergency personnel understand.

The ICE program started in the United Kingdom after the July 2005 terrorist attacks when emergency personnel had difficulty identifying some of the victims. Now it's gaining momentum in the United States, report CBS News and The Sussex Sun of Hartland, Wis.

For example, teenagers who are just learning to drive can put ICE before Mom and Dad's names. Married people can put ICE before their spouse's name. You can even designate three or four ICE numbers. It's a simple thing that will take only minutes and will allow first responders to an accident to notify your family if you're unconscious or unresponsive.

British paramedic Bob Brotchie, who conceived the idea, told Julie Chen on CBS's "The Early Show," "The advice is that you first agree with that person that they be that contact, so they're aware of it. They must (be able to) confirm your date of birth, your name, preferably your address. Hopefully, things such as allergies, blood type, any previous medical history that may be relevant, and then we can get that information to the hospital, perhaps before we leave the scene of an accident, and that will expedite treatment. The hope is that the next-of-kin contact can meet us at the hospital at the same time and the treatment will be as rapid as it could possibly be."

As the Sussex Sun points out, the system is not foolproof. To work, your cell phone has to be turned on, not locked and not damaged in the accident. That's why emergency personnel suggest that in addition to the ICE designation on your cell phone, you carry emergency contact information in your wallet. Here's another benefit: If your cell phone is lost or stolen and later recovered, police can call the ICE number to get in touch with you.

Unfortunately, urban legends on the Internet abound, and one of them involves ICE. They falsely claim that cell phone users are charged a premium for designating an ICE number, that ICE is a code for a virus or that it will excessively drain minutes. All are untrue and complete hoaxes, reports The Sussex Sun which investigated all three.