WHALE — We Have a Little Emergency

Oklahoma hospital volunteers distribute car stickers aimed at saving children's lives

When the adult driver in an auto accident is unable to communicate vital health information about a child passenger to emergency personnel on the scene, precious moments could be lost. Oklahoma hospital volunteer auxiliaries and the OHA are now distributing potentially lifesaving car sticker packets statewide.

The WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency) child safety seat identification program will be made available to anyone who transports infants and children in car seats.

"When a driver transporting young children is in a serious accident and becomes incapacitated, it is difficult for emergency personnel to obtain emergency contact information and other vital information about the young child in the back seat," said Donna Cullins, immediate past state auxiliary leader and volunteer at Norman Regional Hospital, who was instrumental in bringing the program to Oklahoma. "The information provided through the WHALE program can be extremely useful to emergency personnel on the scene."

Each packet contains an informational brochure, two window decals, two stickers for the car seat, a pouch to attach to the back of the car seat, and an identification card. Although the pouch will not be visible when attached to the back of the car seat, emergency personnel throughout the state have been notified to look for the stickers and where to locate the information pouch. The card can then be removed from the holder and transported with the child.

With the information provided on the card, emergency personnel can contact the child's doctor and relatives immediately in order to access important medical information. Often, just being able to call a child by name can have a calming effect.

"Hospital volunteers across the state hope that this program will help save lives and make incidents involving young children easier for everyone," said Margaret Peterson, state auxiliary leader and volunteer at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center. "The stickers and pouches should be installed not just by parents, but by anyone who regularly transports young children, such as babysitters or grandparents," said Peterson. The OHA has funded this vital program for 2004, but is interested in forming partnerships to continue and to expand the program. For more information about the WHALE program, contact Mary Winters, OHA vice president/education and support services, (405) 427-9537, or e-mail winters@okoha.com.