Plan for an Emergency:
- Make sure your house number is easily seen from the street and visible at night
- Record family medical information and have it easily accessible, this should include:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Drug Allergies
- Medical History
- Current Medications
What to Do in an Emergency
Before the Ambulance Crew Arrives:
- Dial 911
- Tell the dispatcher, “This is an emergency. I need an ambulance because …”
- Provide location, age and symptoms of the patient, include your name and phone number
- Follow the instructions of the dispatcher
- Stay with the patient until EMS arrives
- Help us by making sure your house number is easily seen from the street and visible at night
- In evening, turn on an outside porch light and if possible, send someone to the front lawn with a flashlight to signal the ambulance driver
- Clear a path inside your home, move all furniture out of the way
- Place animals in a separate room
- Gather all medication the patient has been prescribed
- Do not give the patient anything to drink
- Keep patient alert by maintaining communication with them
General Safety Precautions:
- Many volunteer EMS personnel and firefighters use blue lights on their personal vehicles to quickly and safely respond to emergencies. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Law requires that all drivers (in both directions) immediately pull to the right and yield when any vehicle displaying a blue light is approaching
- Children 14 years and younger are required by law to wear approved bicycle helmets
- Make sure that all passengers in motor vehicles are wearing seatbelts. Not only is it the law, but seatbelts save lives
- Do not talk or text on your cell phone while driving