Schools Back !! Time to Prepare - Using ICE

It is that time of year again.....what has your school district done to increase the safety of your children...better yet, what have YOU done?

It is after all, YOUR responsibility...not someone else's.
The sooner you realize that fact of life the better.
So, don't wait for someone else to do your work for you.

Have a frank discussion with your children about their personal safety - remember, the effort you expend NOW will be a lot less than when an incident or disaster happens.

Start simple:
-Make sure they have a completed ICE CARD - especially if they have medical issues - don't rely on third parties to provide this information because they may be unable to when the chips are down or be delayed(them what??)!
-If they have a phone - make sure it has emergency contacts identified using E.123 Standard
-Place an ICE STICKER on the cell phone (free by SASE at ICE4SAFETY.com)
-Give them a plan to follow in case of an emergency - such as who to call or places to go or meet up.
-Conduct a question and answer session about what they would do in certain situations that relate to your area - make sure they know what to do. Conduct a practice drill and discuss alternate routes home and understand what they are - ahead of time.
-Discuss the concept of sheltering in place which may be the best approach in certain instances.
-Provide a number of safety items that your children can keep with them to give them some additional sense of security and self reliance (and that will pass school security measures).
-Knowledge is power and crucial in any survival situation - don't be afraid to use it.

There is no time like the present to get started.

ICE for Industry in 2008

ICE has more uses than those attributed to cell phones as most of you have now come to know.

Because of the world we live in and the increased vigilance about safety on job sites, using ICE as a safety tool for the workplace makes perfect sense.

Learn more about how you can use ICE as a workplace safety tool - one that you can develop yourself as well and not be committed or have to rely on a single vendor for your supplies!


Learn also about the International Non-Language Based E.123 Standard that ICE4SAFETY is assisting the United Nations to promote across the world.

Click on the PowerPoint Slide above to access the website and view the presentations!

New York State Fair Features ICE for 2008!

SUNY UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY - UPSTATE EMERGENCY MEDICINE

The Emergency Medicine Department at Upstate Hospital ( A teaching hospital) has recognized for the second year in a row, that using ICE can be a valuable tool in your survival.

They have their poster and brochures prominently displaying that fact at the 2008 New York State Fair.

The New York State Fair is in progress as we blog this!

Stop by the Health Exhibit Building just inside the main gate and visit the SUNY Hospital Information Booth staffed by medical professionals.

Can you get a better endorsement than that to use ICE? A number of trauma hospitals across the country have endorsed the use of ICE as has Consumer's Reports (July '07).

Upstate Hospital Emergency Room Nurses Support Using ICE - READ IT HERE!

Yes, that is indeed the ICE4SAFETY Image!

Welcome Back Students! Vassar & ICE 2008

Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York is welcoming back students this Fall Semester with ICE! Incoming students will be provided their own custom designed ICE Cards in an effort to improve safety and prepredness amongst the student body and employees at this fine educational institution!

Welcome Aboard Vassar Students!

Educators around the world have been inquiring about the development of a course curriculum on ICE and ICE4SAFETY is responding....

Still time for other schools to bring ICE on board this Fall!

Preparedness Lantern - Freeplay Indigo

We read about Freeplay Self Charging Devices in a Wall Street Journal Article in 1994...bought a radio and flashlight in 1999...and still have them...we power them by cranking and solar panels.

With all the recent entries of self powered or multiple combination powered devices on the market, you might still be a bit confused over which preparedness lantern to purchase?

While there is never one perfect device or solution for any one situation, there are those that have attributes worth mentioning so we will provide some insight into this well built and Eco-friendly lamp.

Features noted:
Non ceramic magnets for more efficient power generation
No Batteries to Purchase - NiMh included internally ***
Well constructed - Splash and Rain Proof.
Up to 70 Hours of "night light" / 2.5 hrs Ultra Bright Light at full charge / 35 hrs of single LED reading/directional light on full charge
Stable Hand Crank used to Charge - Works in either direction - Has LED charge indicator also.
Comes with USB Mini Plug for charging - Reducing need for multiple ac/dc chargers - Charge off computer port or using GPS auto 12 volt (mini-USB) power cord.
7 white 5mm LED's adjustable brightness lantern / Combo LED Directional & Reading Light
Hanger Built In - Rubber Feet - Plastic Construction High Vis Yellow or Low Vis Green Color
Design makes is essentially same height as Nalgene Liter Water Bottle - Packable
Can cover it with a sack or sock to protect the lens
Literature claims 74% efficiency from kinetic cranking energy to electrical power ratio
LED's last virtually a lifetime (100,000 hrs) Unit has high cycle functioning (500K)
Optional Charging Kit for US and Foreign Systems available.


Positive Points:
Lightweight, small, reliable, well built, bright enough, can be used if injured, charging features compatible with modern devices, 60 second cranking can provide ample light to get situated, practical to carry or store for use when needed, water resistant-splash/rain proof, if batteries need reviving you can do this with several 30 second rapid cranks of the alternator crank arm, useful for apartment dwellers and bug out kits, batteries rated for 10,000 crank cycles, can be outfitted with ICE Sticker.

FAQ's About Indigo

Ok, while this lamp won't compete with the likes of a gas lantern, it will get the job done in many personal situations and is lighter and safer. We found this model at L.L. Bean Outlet for $26.95 and are told they can be found at Target too.

*** If you were feeling challenged and wanted to improve upon the original designed battery pack by replacing them with higher Milliamp Hour (mAh) rated NiMH shrink wrapped batteries - Hybrid's or Powerex NiMH batteries would be great performers in this unit but more expensive. Newer Hybrid Batteries will hold a high rate of charge for up to 12 months unlike standard rechargeables. This unit can be disassembled but we are sure the factory would not recommend that. In an emergency those rules take a hike.

The folks at Batteries Plus could make up a new set of replacement batteries for you as you wait. We've just done that with the 1999 Freeplay crank flashlight....although the original batteries still worked just fine.....the higher mAH rated custom batteries last longer and were actually cheaper than off the shelf replacements! Good to know for other applications as well.