W.H.A.L.E.

           WE HAVE A LITTLE EMERGENCY CHILD SAFETY SEAT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

Hospital auxiliaries throughout Oklahoma will distribute W.H.A.L.E. packets to anyone who transports infants and children in car seats. The Oklahoma Hospital Association is providing these packets for auxiliaries. The packet contains a brochure explaining the program, two Window decals, two stickers for the car seat, a pouch-to attach to the back of the car seat (it will not be visible), and an identification card. This card will contain vital information about the child. In the event of an accident and the adults in the vehicle are unable to communicate to emergency personnel this information will be extremely useful to emergency personnel. These packets will be made available to the public on November 13, 2003. Anyone can contact the hospital volunteer office, in their community, to receive a packet.

It is vital that emergency personnel know that this information is available and where to find it. The card can be removed from the holder and transported with the child. We hope that emergency personnel will be trained about this new helpful information immediately.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association, the Oklahoma Firefighters Association, and the Oklahoma Highway Transportation Safety Administration will be notified about this program. 

The program will be publicized through newspapers, radio, and local television stations. Hospital Volunteers across the state hope that this program will help save lives and make incidents involving young children easier for everyone.