Your Refrigerator Door Can Be a LIfesaver

In many households, the refrigerator door is home to drawings children did in school, pictures from family events and often a list of useful phone numbers - like the school nurse or the family doctor and dentist.

Using that same concept, Clarkstown this week is launching a free program to help senior citizens and other town residents prepare for health emergencies. The "File of Life" program provides necessary material so health information can be kept on the refrigerator door, and easily accessible to emergency services personnel if they are ever called to the home.

"The Town of Clarkstown is home to many vulnerable populations, including the elderly and infirm, who may live alone or may have limited time with care takers," said Clarsktown Supervisor Alex Gromack.  "The File of Life provides emergency personnel the ability to see pertinent medical information to ensure proper emergency treatment."

The program will be introduced to residents at the Congers I Senior Club, at the Congers Community Center, 6 Gilchrest Road, on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The File of Life is a card developed by the not for profit group File of Life Foundation.  It contains space for vital personal medical information and is kept on the outside of the resident's refrigerator in a bright red magnetic pocket, readily accessible to emergency service personnel when they arrive on an emergency call. 

The medical card lists the resident's emergency medical contacts, health conditions, medications taken, allergies, recent surgeries and more.  A decal is placed on the outside door of the home to notify arriving emergency services to look for the medical card inside.

Clarkstown plans to distribute File of Life cards at all 12 senior clubs over the next few months.  Other residents interested in picking up cards may do so at the Town Council Chambers or Supervisor's Office on the third floor of Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City. 

"The Town Board and I are committed to promoting programs to our residents that save lives," said Councilman George Hoehmann.  "It is important for emergency service volunteers to have quick access to a resident's health problems, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts.  This simple tool provides for that security for our residents."

Residents are responsible for keeping the medical information on the card up to date and clearly visible on their refrigerator.