Ask Sid: ‘ICE’ on Your Cellphone Could Save Your Life

Q. I received an e-mail advising me to “ICE” my cellphone, but based on your past advice, I didn’t click on the link it contained. What is ICE?

A. ICE stands for “in case of emergency” and identifies a contact on your cellphone who can provide information to emergency medical technicians, firefighters or police. It works like this: Create a cellphone contact, entering the word ICE plus the name of someone who can answer questions about your medical history, medications you take and any allergies you have.

In the event of a medical emergency, first responders often look for an ICE contact, so try to list this person near the top of the phone’s directory. Some municipalities provide residents with free ICE phone stickers to alert emergency personnel that an ICE contact has been programmed. You can also purchase them online for $2 each or five for $7.50.

Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life (AARP Books/Sterling).