For many people, their cell phones are their life line. It’s even truer in an emergency situation. What would happen if you were unconscious or unable to tell the EMT who to call if God forbid you were in an accident. 

Well after most notably 9/11 and other incidents, a British EMT Bob Brotchie developed the ICE initiative. Cell users would be encouraged to put ICE and acronym for “in case of emergency,” before the people in the phone address book. Ex. “ICE – Mom or “ICE-Kelly.” 

This simple idea may save valuable time In case of a disaster or emergency. Currently Paramedics and other emergency personnel must look through wallets, etc. for clues. Many people put their spouse in their phone book by name, making it difficult to identify the entry they need to call. They are left guessing if you have any allergies or who to call. 

Bottom line, Input an ICE entry. Hopefully it will never have to be used. But if it does, those precious minutes could make a difference.        

I am horrified everyday I walk through a Starbucks or Panera’s and see a laptop unattended. Sure you will be back in just a minute. Just going to the bathroom. Going to refill that cup of coffee. That is when many laptops are stolen. 

Insurance companies estimate as high as 600,000 laptops are stolen every year.
Stolen laptops are a bigger cost burden to businesses than computer viruses. — National Hi-Tech Crime Unit, 2004

I could spew off a list of staggering statistics. Bottom line, secure your laptop. Besides the cost of replacing them, you have sensitive company, personal and client data on it. In the wrong hands it could be a nightmare professionally and legally.

  For under $35, a laptop cable lock will protect your investment with a cut-resistant, galvanized steel cable to attach your notebook computer to any secure object. Simply loop the lock around a desk or chair, then insert into your notebook’s lock slot and set the combination.
While no security measure beats supervision, this should prevent most possible theft attempts and avoid a lot of hassle that will ensue from a stolen laptop.