WHALE Child I.D. Program Offered At Hanover Hospital
by Hanover Professional Firefighters Association
The Maternity Center at Hanover Hospital proudly offers the WHALE
Program for newborns, thanks to the Hanover Professional Fire Fighters Association
of the Hanover Fire Department.
The WHALE Program, which stands for “We Have A Little Emergency,” is an identification
and information package that is used on child car safety seats, which can
be extremely helpful for rescue workers at the scene of an accident.
Two WHALE car seat stickers (printed on white vinyl) attach to the sides of
the car seat. These alert rescue personnel that a label with identification
information is attached to the back of the seat, containing the name of the
child and parents, date of birth, home phone and address, medical history,
and person to be contacted in the event of an emergency. There is also a place
for a photograph of the child.
Should an accident occur, rendering the driver or other passengers unable to
communicate, rescue workers can more quickly call a grandparent or other designated
person to come for the child. The information is also helpful should the child
require medical attention at the hospital Emergency Department.
A label, stickers and information brochure, paid for by the firefighters association,
are given to the family by the Maternity nursing staff at the time of discharge
from the hospital, so parents can apply them promptly.
The program was originally created by Connie Day, a caregiver from Richmond,
VA, who wondered what would happen to the children in her care in the event
of an automobile accident. Hanover is first in the area to offer the program.
The fire personnel are proud to sponsor the program, which will be an ongoing
project. “We’re always looking for ways to serve the community,” said Tony Clousher.
Lt. Robert Houck explained “We’re the first people to see the child in an emergency situation,
and usually the baby is the person least hurt if he/she was properly strapped
in the seat.” [Sponsoring such a program] just makes sense.”
Auto accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for small children
and adolescents, and most fatal crashes occur close to home and at speeds
of less than 40 mph. Parents are reminded that they and their children should
be safely seated and belted in at all times.