My friend Pat Cascio who owns Morningside Nannies in Houston has been my “go to” person whenever I need to talk out a nanny related issue. She’s so smart– and often extremely funny.  Last week she asked me a question that had never come up in my 25 years in business. That’s why I love this job.  It’s never boring!

“My sister has a nanny who drives the baby using her own personal vehicle. I was wondering if the nanny became ill or got hurt in an accident and was unable to communicate, how would the emergency personnel know that Ben (my sister’s baby) was not the nanny’s child? Should my sister have the baby wear an identification bracelet? What do you suggest to your families regarding this matter?”

Great question and one we will now be advising both nannies and clients on. All the nanny pros that Pat surveyed on this issue were spot on. They had great suggestions and were totally informed on how to handle a possible emergency as described in the question. Pat and I, the agency owners with 7 kids between us–well, we were scratching our heads!

Pat has graciously allowed me to share her findings. So read on.

• Child’s Car Seat: Attach a label, luggage tag or index card in a place where a passerby isn’t able to read the information but EMTs will find with ease. The information should include child’s name , allergies and other medical information, child’s photo, parent’s name and contact information, instructions where to find insurance card and authorization to treat form. The tag or card should be in a place where the child can’t reach it.

• Multiples: When there is more than one child, they may not always be sitting in the same car seats, so the information on all the children should be available on each seat.

• Glove Compartment: Keep copies of the authorization to treat form, vehicle insurance card, nanny and child’s health insurance card, nanny’s and children’s medical information including known allergies.

• Diaper Bag: Same as written above and can be kept in a Ziploc or waterproof baggy.

• Cellphone: ICE information (IN Case of Emergency) should include parent’s emergency contact numbers.

Hope no one ever needs to use this info–but better to be prepared for the “what if” scenario.