Message in a Bottle (Data Link)

Is there a Message in your Fridge

Data Link – A new aid for older / vulnerable people in the community

In an important contribution to community safety, Lancashire neighbourhood watch forum (LNWF) in partnership with Lancashire Police has launched DATALINK, a major new initiative to help vulnerable people in Lancashire. In partnership with North West Lancashire Health Authority, Blackpool Primary Care Group, Lancashire Partnership against Crime, Lancashire Police, Age Concern Blackpool & District. Age Concern Lancashire and Chorley & South Ribble Primary Care Trust

What is DATALINK ?

Anyone may apply for DATALINK. It is completely free.
They will be given a small distinctly labelled waterproof canister, which will contain details of any medical condition, special needs, carers contact details etc.

The canister, which contains the above details (Message in a Bottle) is clearly labelled and is to be stored in the fridge of the household.

This scheme endorsed by all emergency services in Lancashire provides an instant method of accessing client health details etc. in times of emergency in their own homes.

The canister (Message in a Bottle) containing the occupants’ details is kept in their own fridge. A sticker, indicating that the canister is in the fridge is stuck to the fridge door. There is also another sticker to be situated underneath the lock on the inside of the front door of the client’s home.

In case of emergency, for example, when a member of the emergency service has to enter the clients home, there will be a check for the presence of the front door sticker. Immediately they will know that there is a message in a bottle within the client’s fridge, thus gaining instant access to the client’s medical and contact details.

Emergency service workers frequently loose valuable opportunities to help people simply because they have no information about the person concerned. Often much time is lost in finding out detailed of medical conditions, medication, and even contact telephone numbers. If this information is readily available, help may be given much more quickly and effectively.

There has been sound research as to why the canister should be kept in the fridge:

The place of storage should be virtually identical in all homes to make the scheme viable for instant access.

The fridge has been chosen because almost everyone has a fridge and it is usually located in the kitchen in every home.

In the instance of the home being on fire, it has been shown that the fridge is the safest place to keep the bottle as the fridge resists fire damage longer because of its metal construction and the fact that it is much colder than its surroundings.

Where Can I get a “Message in a Bottle” ?

Emergency Services and voluntary sector caring organisations such as Age Concern will be distributing the canisters. Your local Neighbourhood Watch will be able to get you one.