Senior News Line:

File of Life Can Save Lives

By Matilda Charles

Have you heard of the File of Life? I hadn't, until a reader pointed it out to me. The File of Life can literally be a lifesaver in a medical emergency.

A File of Life is a card that contains your medical and contact information in case of an emergency where you can't speak for yourself. The card comes with a red plastic pocket that attaches by magnet to the refrigerator door and lists your name, emergency contact information, any allergies, current medications and dosages, any general health problems and your insurance information.

If something happens and emergency help is required, valuable time can be lost while your hospital records are located or your contact person is found. Worse, you could inadvertently be given the wrong treatment -- for example, a drug that you're allergic to or an overdose of something you're already taking -- by those who are trying to save your life.

All across the country, towns and counties are handing out File of Life information and instructing emergency medical responders to look for it at your refrigerator door before they begin treating you. Some areas also use a front-door sticker to alert emergency personnel that you have a File of Life card.

Does your community use the File of Life? Check its Web site (www.folife.org) for more information. Besides the refrigerator file, there's a miniature one for your wallet. Ask about the File of Life at the local senior center, or even call the Fire Department non-emergency number to ask.

If they're not aware of this valuable source for emergency information, give them the phone number for File of Life: 1-800-814-1788. Many communities buy them and give the cards to seniors free of charge.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.