When heading out for a run, we all know that we should take some steps to protect ourselves. Carrying a phone with you is a smart plan, but I know that not everyone likes to carry their device. Making sure to have some form of ID is also smart. I admit, I got pretty lazy for a while about taking ID with me, like it was too much bother. But then I had a nightmare about being out running with the baby, getting jumped by someone who took my baby and left me on the side of the road, no ID and no way to contact anyone. Terrible, but it prompted me to take that extra step again!
I recently learned about a service called EmergencyLink. You can sign up for free account and upload all your information, set emergency contacts, create an emergency plan and share that with family/friends. If you are in a situation where you can’t speak for yourself, as long as you have one of the EmergencyLink tags on you, a responder can call their 24-hour response center to get you the help you need. The tag kit comes with a card for your wallet as well as fobs to attach to your keychains/shoelaces/wherever.
View EmergencyLink’s security and privacy policies
Right now they are donating $1 for every signup to the American Red Cross, Autism Speaks or the (George) Lopez Foundation. You can choose which charity you support. Also, they are running an iPhone 5 giveaway for registered users. So you could protect yourself, share info with your family, send a donation to a good cause and possibly win a new smartphone, all for free!
Another thing I wanted to pass along is a tip my sister-in-law shared with me. She was driving through her neighborhood the other day and noticed a woman running on the side of the road. The woman extended her arm and pointed, to indicate her child riding a bicycle along as well. My sis-in-law said that while she noticed the woman running, she hadn’t seen the child and thought it was a really smart thing for the mother to do. Just a tip, make sure to point out your kiddos to passing motorists too! And remember for your kids and yourself; never, ever, ever, assume cars see you!
Jill Will Run 
I can’t open the link at work, and I have been trying not to get on the computer at night, so I’m going to ask a probably very basic question… Is there a charge to sign up? I wear a Road ID, which I’ve found to be awesome even when I’m not running, where I can upload all my info – medical info, contacts, etc – and EMTs are trained to look for that when they respond to an emergency. Mike has me wearing it even now when I’m not running so if something happens I (nor Little Moe) won’t be wrongly cared for at that time. So just curious on this one. I had an initial charge to buy the wrist band and tag, and a yearly fee – but it’s pretty reasonable. Just curious. 🙂 Thanks, Jill!
No fee… it’s free!
Great tip, Jill. I’ve heard of people putting things like this or Road ID’s on their kids when they visit amusement parks or such just in case they get lost.
Oh, that’s a good idea!
Yes, you definitely need ID that is NOT what you keep in your wallet!
I love my Road ID- I got mine after a crash in the rain where by the time I got to the hospital, the rain had ruined all my ID (the baggie it was in got wrecked in the crash) and it was over 30 minutes before they got me coherent enough to tell them more than my name. AND my phone was passcode locked at the time, as well! What I love about the ID is that it’s engraved, so it has stayed crisp through mud, blood, sand, icky water, sweat, you name it!
I never run without the Road ID, and got ones for various family members. My colleague also got her kids ones for wearing in the amusement park. We don’t always look for ID on a grownup, but I always check a kid’s wrist, foot, shoe, and neck for some sort of a label.
Holy cow! That’s scary that you had to learn about the need for ID in such dramatic way. But I’m also glad that you share your story with others so that hopefully we can all learn.
I have a Road ID, that I carry with me whenever I run outside.