ICE

ICE stands for 'In Case of Emergency.' Add this acronym to your cell phone contacts list, along with the name and number of someone who should be contacted on your behalf, in case of an emergency. For more than one contact, use ICE1, ICE2, etc.

Concept

The ICE concept is the brainchild of a Cambridge-based paramedic. Vodofone, a United Kingdom mobile phone provider, launched a national campaign to encourage people to store emergency contact details in their mobile phones. According to Vodofone, eight out of ten people aren't carrying information that would help if they were involved in an accident. Storing emergency contact details in your cell phone could assist emergency personnel, if you're unable to tell them whom to contact. The idea has since spread to the United States, and Australia.

ICE provides valuable contact information to emergency professionals, but should be used in addition to, not in place of, other more standard forms of identification. Cell phones can be damaged, contact information could not be retrieved. Some phone users program PINs, or other blocking actions that would prevent emergency personnel from accessing contact information in the phone. Please make sure to carry a hard copy of your emergency contact information on your person - in your wallet, purse, etc.