Youghal to launch message in a bottle
A message in a bottle has taken on a whole new and important meaning in Youghal.
Message in a Bottle is the name of a new initiative in the coastal town which will launched later this month.
Message in a Bottle consists of a bottle (plastic container) that contains an information form detailing personal information, allergies, physical challenges, medications and emergency contact details.
The form is to be filled out and placed back in the bottle, preferably with a copy of a current medical prescription.
The bottle is then placed in the fridge. The bottle also contains 2 green cross stickers that should be placed on the main entrance door and fridge door in the home.
Should an incident occur the first responders and emergency services who enter will know to look for the bottle in the fridge and treat the patient accordingly.
Message in a Bottle is ideal for the older people, people not in good health, people living alone, people who have life threatening conditions/allergies, people with disabilities or pregnant women, whereby their personal and medical information is on hand for the emergency services should an emergency occur in their home.
It will also benefit the paramedics, gardai, firefighters, social services and others as it provides the essential time saving information they need to assess, treat and help the patient.
Youghal Active Retirement Association and Youghal Credit Union in conjunction with Lions Clubs Ireland are launching Message in a Bottle in The Mall Arts Centre in Youghal on Thursday 29 February at 11am.
The bottles will be available for all in the community at the launch and afterwards in all branches of Youghal Credit Union.
Frank Down from Youghal Active Retirement Association said: “We believe Message in a Bottle is such a great initiative and want to encourage everyone in our community to come to our launch on 29 February, learn about Message in a Bottle and take a bottle home.
“We hope they will fill in the details, put the bottle in the fridge and place the stickers on their front door and fridge door to help the emergency services should an accident occur.”
Patrick Heaphy, Youghal Credit Union said: “We are delighted to support this wonderful community initiative.
“We would love to see all those who are vulnerable in our community have a Message in a Bottle in their fridge so that should an accident occur, emergency services will be able to treat them in the best possible time saving way,” he added.