The Town of Hempstead is involved in a very worthwhile program intended to insure the safety of our littlest resident. I am encouraging all parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers of infants and toddlers to become aware of and participate in, The WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency) care seat sticker identification program.

The law requires that all youngsters under four years of age or up to 40 pounds must be seated and harnessed in an approved child safety seat when riding in a car. Now, that same child safety seat can provide vital information about its young occupant in the unfortunate event that the driver of the car is incapacitated in an accident. WHALE stickers are placed on both rear side windows of the car and on both sides of the child safety seat so that emergency personnel will know immediately that there is vital information pertaining to the child on the back of the car seat. The WHALE car sticker contains the child's name, medical history, names and telephone numbers of two guardians and up to three emergency names and telephones numbers.

Each piece of information serves a specific purpose. The child's name allows emergency personnel to speak to the young child by name, which can have a soothing and calming effect. With medical knowledge of the child, emergency personnel can better prepare hospital staff. WHALE guardian information allows for an individual designated by the parent to consent to treatment and/or surgery as needed. Additional emergency telephone numbers, such as the child's pediatrician, provide for better care and treatment of the child.

There are nearly 20 states now participating in this important program, which has been endorsed by the Nassau County Police Department, the Nassau County Fire Commission and the New York State Fire Chiefs Association.

Here in the Town of Hempstead, by working with other government entities, I hope to shine a spotlight on the WHALE program and thereby dramatically increase participation. If one child's life is saved or made more comfortable through WHALE, then we have succeeded.

If you are a private individual or a member of a group desiring one or more WHALE packets, please call the Town of Hempstead Office of Communications and Public Affairs at 489-5000, ext. 3303. They will be happy to provide you with the packets you need and any other information you may require,