A Low-Tech Emergency Info Sheet

Technology marches forward, and smart phones (iPhones, Blackberries and the like) are ubiquitous. Many parents enjoy the convenience of the phone, internet, and countless apps ready in their pockets, giving today’s suggestion an antiquated feeling, but a quick Google search tells me Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Consider maintaining a list of important phone numbers as a word processing document on your computer’s hard drive, and post a printed version in a central location of your home, such as on the refrigerator. Customize your number list to include any numbers you deem important– it is yours, so go ahead and include your favorite takeout restaurant’s number below the emergency numbers! We keep key information on ours such as:

• Mom and Dad’s cell and work numbers
• Grandparents’/neighbors’ phone numbers
• Pediatrician numbers
• School numbers and absentee hotline numbers (very handy; my 4 kids attend 3 different schools)
• Poison control
• Local pharmacy numbers, including the nearest 24 hour pharmacy

A posted paper list is always available and easy to reference, and never needs recharging. If parents head out for work, date night or a rushed, unexpected emergency, the hard-copy list is ready for your children’s caregiver with all pertinent information– no need to worry about preparing the info every time you leave the house. (Just as carrying an umbrella seems to ward off the rain, I’m a believer in being prepared for unexpected scenarios, for peace of mind.) If the master document is kept on your hard drive, you can easily make corrections and updates as needed. Print out extra copies for nearby relatives or neighbors, and they’ll have your contact information at the ready.

A bonus: as our kids grow older we coach them, in an age-appropriate way, how to handle emergencies and other various situations. My second grader knows where the master contact list is, and if need be, he can use the house line to call his dad’s cell phone, or Grammy, in a jiffy. While most cell phones have phone numbers memorized, your child probably won’t have access to your device in an emergency. Modern innovations are great for busy families, but there is also beauty in a simple sheet of paper.