Lions Message in a Bottle: Emergency Info Kit for Carers

Medically Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed July 2025)

Originally promoted by the Lions Club UK, the Message in a Bottle scheme is now regularly used by emergency services.

It’s a simple way to store essential personal and medical details on a standard form, in a common location: your fridge. First responders know to look there if they see the scheme’s stickers on your door or fridge.

This means paramedics, police, firefighters, and social services can quickly identify the person, see any allergies, and check if they take specific medication, without wasting time searching or guessing.

When paramedics arrive, they’ll look for the scheme’s stickers. If they see one, they go straight to the fridge, open the bottle, and read the form. This quick step tells them:

• Who they’re treating

• Any urgent medical risks

• Who to call for updates

This fast transfer of information is especially useful if the person is unconscious, confused, or alone.

The kits are free. You can get one from:

• Your local Lions Club

• Your local Ambulance Service

• Some pharmacies and health centres

• Housing associations

• Neighbourhood Watch groups

The UK isn’t the only place using fridge-based emergency info kits. Similar schemes exist in Ireland, Canada, and Australia. If you have relatives abroad, check if their local emergency services use something similar. Even if they don’t, keeping vital info in an easy-to-spot container could still help responders.

Each kit contains:

• A small plastic bottle

• A form

• Two stickers

How to use it:

1. Fill in the form with your personal, medical, and emergency contact details.

2. Put the form inside the bottle.

3. Store the bottle in your fridge.

4. Stick one sticker on the fridge, and another by your front door.

If you’d rather not have a sticker on your fridge, place it somewhere near your back door. The stickers tell first responders that the bottle is in the fridge.

Avoid these pitfalls:

• Forgetting to update the form after a medication change

• Writing in hard-to-read handwriting

• Leaving emergency contact numbers out

• Storing the bottle somewhere other than the fridge

A quick yearly check keeps your bottle useful and accurate.

• Full name and date of birth

• GP name, address, and phone number

• A short summary of medical conditions and allergies

• Contact details for two emergency contacts

• A list of regular medicines, or a copy of your repeat prescription

• If you care for someone else, include their details too

For carents, emergencies are more complicated. You’re not only thinking about your own safety or health but also about the person you care for. Having a Message in a Bottle ready means:

• You don’t have to rely on memory during stressful moments.

• First responders instantly know if someone else in the home needs care.

Important instructions, like medication times, aren’t forgotten in the panic.
It’s a small job that could save hours of stress later, and it can be done in ten minutes.

While the fridge bottle is a proven, low-tech tool, it’s also worth having a digital copy of your medical info. Some carents keep it on their phone, or email it to a trusted family member. If you travel, you could keep a printed copy in your wallet too. Multiple formats mean you’re covered even if the fridge bottle can’t be reached immediately.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, July 2025